1960 Agadir earthquake

Coordinates: 30°24′N 9°36′W / 30.4°N 9.6°W / 30.4; -9.6

1960 Agadir earthquake

Date	February 29, 1960 (1960-02-29)
Magnitude	5.7 Mw
Countries or regions	Physical: Morocco
Casualties	15,000

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 M_w, killing around 15,000 people (about a third of the city's population of the time) and injuring another 12,000.^[1] 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.^[1]

After the earthquake

The city was evacuated 2 days after the earthquake in order to avoid the spread of disease. Agadir 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.

See also

• List of 20th century earthquakes

External links

• Historical Earthquakes - Agadir - USGS
• 1960: Thousands dead in Moroccan earthquake - bbc.co.uk (On this day)
• Pictures of the earthquake
• A hotel, before and after the earthquake
• A website about the Agadir 1960 earthquake

References and notes

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