1960 Agadir earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 1960 Agadir earthquake took place on Monday, February 29, 1960, at 23:47 local time. It was the most destructive and deadliest earthquake
in Moroccan
history with a magnitude of 5.7 Mw
, killing around 15,000 people (about a third of the city's population of the time) and injuring another 12,000. At least 35,000 people were left homeless. Despite its moderate magnitude, the earthquake's shallow focus
and proximity to the major city of Agadir
made it very destructive.
was rebuilt 3 kilometers to the south of the original site after the request of late king Mohammed V
stating that "If Agadir is doomed to be destroyed then its rebuilding depends on our will". The French
aircraft carrier La Fayette participated in rescue operations.
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
in Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
history with a magnitude of 5.7 Mw
Moment magnitude scale
The moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the size of earthquakes in terms of the energy released. The magnitude is based on the seismic moment of the earthquake, which is equal to the rigidity of the Earth multiplied by the average amount of slip on the fault and the size of...
, killing around 15,000 people (about a third of the city's population of the time) and injuring another 12,000. At least 35,000 people were left homeless. Despite its moderate magnitude, the earthquake's shallow focus
Hypocenter
The hypocenter refers to the site of an earthquake or a nuclear explosion...
and proximity to the major city of Agadir
Agadir
Agadir is a major city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Agadir province and the Sous-Massa-Draa economic region .-Etymology:...
made it very destructive.
After the earthquake
The city was evacuated 2 days after the earthquake in order to avoid the spread of disease. AgadirAgadir
Agadir is a major city in southwest Morocco, capital of the Agadir province and the Sous-Massa-Draa economic region .-Etymology:...
was rebuilt 3 kilometers to the south of the original site after the request of late king Mohammed V
Mohammed V of Morocco
Mohammed V was Sultan of Morocco from 1927–53, exiled from 1953–55, where he was again recognized as Sultan upon his return, and King from 1957 to 1961. His full name was Sidi Mohammed ben Yusef, or Son of Yusef, upon whose death he succeeded to the throne...
stating that "If Agadir is doomed to be destroyed then its rebuilding depends on our will". The French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
aircraft carrier La Fayette participated in rescue operations.
