The 1980 El Asnam earthquake, magnitude 7.1, was the largest in Algeria's recorded history, killing over 2,600 and causing damage equal to 22% of Algeria's GDP.
Key Facts
- Moment Magnitude
- 7.1
- Deaths
- at least 2,633
- Injured
- 8,369
- Homeless
- 300,000 people
- Economic Damage
- ~$5.2 billion (22% of Algeria's GDP)
- Surface Rupture
- approximately 42 km
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake originated on a previously unknown reverse fault in the Atlas mountain range near El Asnam, Algeria. No foreshocks preceded the event. The epicenter was located very close to that of the 1954 Chlef earthquake, indicating a seismically active zone where tectonic stress had accumulated along blind thrust structures beneath the region.
On October 10, 1980, at 13:25 local time, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck El Asnam, Algeria, lasting 35 seconds and reaching a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). Shaking was felt over 550 km away. A magnitude 6.2 aftershock followed three hours later. The quake produced roughly 42 km of surface rupture and a vertical slip of up to 4.2 m. Weak tsunami waves were also recorded on tide gauges.
The earthquake affected 900,000 people, destroyed 25,000 homes, and demolished critical infrastructure including the main hospital, central mosque, and a girls' school. At least 2,633 people were killed and 8,369 injured. Casualties had to be transported over 160 km to receive hospital care. Total damage reached approximately $5.2 billion, equivalent to 22% of Algeria's GDP at the time.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 2,633 (earthquake)