1960 Agadir earthquake

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. 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.

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