Earthquake in Morocco leaves 1000s homeless - 26th February 2004

A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale shook rural areas near the Medierranean port city of Al Hoceima in Morocco on 26th February 2004. The rural area is difficult to access as it is very mountainous. Many of the houses in the rural villages were made of mud brick and collapsed during the quake. Thousands of people have been made homeless and the death count is believed to have reached 600.

Earthquakes Damage: The Morocco quake follows the December 2003 earthquake that devastated the ancient city of Bam, Iran. Comparing the recent Iranian earthquake with that that occurred just days earlier in California - whilst similar in magnitude, the effects were catastrophic in Iran (death toll over 30,000) whilst only 3 people were killed in California - why such a difference? - see the Royal Geographical Society Geography in the News Site and search back issues

Guardian sites

Map of earthquake location http://www.guardian.co.uk/graphic/0,5812,1154990,00.html 

Quake kills 229 in Morocco http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1155161,00.html 

BBC News sites

Quake flattens Moroccan Villages http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3515803.stm 

Quake rescuers search for survivors http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3484716.stm 

Other:

Story from New Zealand Herald (Thousands Homeless after Morocco quake) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3551378&thesection=news&thesubsection=world 

General earthquake links:

Deadly History of Earthquakes http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/2059330.stm 

Last modified: 03/09/05        Site Info / Disclaimer / Use of Photographs / Copyright / Contact Details