A magnitude 6.3–6.4 earthquake in the Alboran Sea caused one death, at least 30 injuries, and moderate damage across Morocco and Spain.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 6.3–6.4 Mw
- Hypocenter depth
- 12 km km
- Max Mercalli intensity
- VI (Strong)
- Fatalities
- 1
- Injuries
- At least 30
- Time (UTC)
- 04:22:02 UTC, 25 January 2016
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake originated from seismic activity along the tectonically active Alboran Sea region in the Strait of Gibraltar, where the African and Eurasian plates interact. The shallow hypocenter, at only 12 km depth, amplified ground shaking at the surface relative to deeper events of comparable magnitude.
On 25 January 2016 at 04:22:02 UTC, a magnitude 6.3–6.4 earthquake struck offshore, north-northeast of Al Hoceïma, Morocco, in the Alboran Sea. The event reached a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VI (Strong) and was felt across northern Morocco and southern Spain.
The earthquake killed one person and injured at least 30 others, while causing moderate structural damage in both Morocco and Spain. The shallow depth and proximity to populated coastal areas contributed to the localized but significant impact felt across two countries.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 1 (earthquake)