Earthquake Off Portuguese Coast Shakes Morocco, Tsunami Fears Subside
A earthquake-felt-details/” title=”Casablanca Rocked by Minor Earthquake, Details Here”>significant earthquake, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, struck off the coast of Portugal in the early hours of Monday morning, sending tremors as far as Casablanca, Morocco. While initial concerns about a potential tsunami arose, experts have since allayed those fears.
The earthquake, centered in the seismically active waters off the Portuguese and Spanish coastlines, occurred shortly before dawn. Nasser Jabour, Director of the National Institute of Geophysics, confirmed that while the epicenter was a considerable distance away – approximately 500 to 550 kilometers from Casablanca – residents in the Moroccan city, particularly those already awake, felt the tremors.
Jabour, speaking to Belpresse, emphasized that the Portuguese coastal region is known for its seismic activity, necessitating constant monitoring. He acknowledged the initial apprehension surrounding a possible tsunami, but reassured the public that after careful calculations and measurements from multiple monitoring stations, the risk had been ruled out.
As a precautionary measure, Jabour advised citizens to avoid beaches immediately following any earthquake until authorities can assess the situation and confirm safety.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) corroborated the event, reporting a 5.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Portugal as part of a series of tremors detected in the early morning hours.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ever-present threat of earthquakes, particularly in regions situated along tectonic plate boundaries. The recent earthquake in Morocco, while relatively minor, underscores the importance of preparedness and heeding safety advice from experts and official channels.
