The Morocco earthquake that struck on September 8, 2023, had a moment magnitude of approximately 6.9, making it the strongest instrumentally recorded earthquake with an epicenter in Morocco. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude of 6.9 at a depth of 19 km, while Morocco's seismic agency reported a magnitude of 7.2 with a focal depth of 8 km. The earthquake's maximum intensity reached IX on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, classified as "Violent" shaking
. The epicenter was located about 73 km southwest of Marrakesh in the Al Haouz Province, near the Atlas Mountains. The quake was shallow, which contributed to the severe surface shaking and extensive damage. It caused widespread destruction, particularly in rural mountainous areas, and resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and thousands of injuries. The tremors were felt as far away as Spain, Portugal, Algeria, and even Egypt
. In summary, the earthquake was a very strong and shallow event with a magnitude close to 7.0 and violent shaking, making it the deadliest and most powerful earthquake in Morocco in over a century
