The devastating earthquake that struck Morocco on the 8th of September 2023, with a magnitude of 6.8, is recorded as one of the most powerful in the nation’s history. This natural calamity had its epicenter located in the Al-Haouz province, within the Atlas Mountains near Marrakeck. The extensive damage caused by this event was not just due to the initial hit, but also a result of the subsequent aftershocks, including a tremor of 4.9 on the Richter scale.
Understanding the Causes of the Morocco Earthquake
The primary cause of the earthquake resulted from the convergence of two tectonic plates, specifically the African and Eurasian plates, at a complex plate boundary. The faulting movement of these plates was identified as “oblique-reverse”, meaning there was movement along the fault plane wherein the upper block moved up and over the lower block, causing the ground to shake violently.
Faults are fractures in rock formations that allow the blocks of rocks to move relative to each other. When these faults move rapidly, it can trigger earthquakes. These faults can be categorized by their angle with respect to the surface (dip) and the direction of their slip.
Different Types of Faults and Their Role in Earthquakes
There are different types of faults including dip-slip faults, which include normal faults (where the upper block moves down the lower block), and reverse faults (upper block moves up and over lower block). The latter type is common in areas of tectonic compression. Another type is strike-slip faults involving horizontal movement along the plane. Oblique-slip faults exhibit both characteristics of dip-slip and strike-slip faults.
In the case of the Moroccan earthquake, it occurred at a relatively shallow depth beneath the Earth’s surface. Such shallow earthquakes are known to have more destructive potential due to their proximity to the surface and release of considerable energy, compared to deeper earthquakes.
Morocco’s Geographical Context
Morocco is located in western North Africa, directly across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. The country shares borders with Algeria to the east and southeast and the Western Sahara to the south. Furthermore, it’s surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Its capital city is Rabat and it is home to two significant mountain ranges, the Atlas and Rif Mountains.
Morocco’s position at the convergence plate of Africa and Eurasia results in a constant state of motion. The collision of these plates over time has led to the formation of various geographical features such as mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes. A prominent example is the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, formed due to the compressional forces exerted by these colliding plates.
Previous Year Questions on Related Topics
Understanding the causes and impacts of earthquakes is critical, not just for disaster management, but also for many competitive examinations like UPSC Civil Services Examination. Previous year questions have covered topics related to the dynamic changes on the Earth’s surface caused by various factors, the location of fold mountain systems along the margins of continents and their association with the global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, and a discussion about the vulnerability of India to earthquake-related hazards.
