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Catastrophe in Western Morocco: NASA’s Damage Assessment Map Unveils Consequences of 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake
A damage assessment map generated by NASA Earth Observatory illustrates the severe impact of the earthquake that occurred in the High Atlas Mountains on September 8, 2023. The map relies on satellite data collected from May 26 to September 11, 2023.
Remote villages in the High Atlas Mountains were disproportionately affected by the earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 6.8 and resulted in extensive destruction.
The tremor severely impacted communities in the western region of Morocco. Occurring on September 8, 2023, about 70 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh and at a depth of 26 kilometers, the earthquake led to thousands of fatalities and inflicted massive structural damage.
The Utility of Satellite Imagery in Evaluating Destruction
The above-mentioned damage assessment map is a rendition by NASA Earth Observatory, based on original mapping by the Earth Observatory of Singapore — Remote Sensing Lab (EOS-RS). This map employs modified Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data, processed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The software used was originally created by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech and later adapted by EOS-RS. Data for this map comes from synthetic aperture radar images taken before (May 26, 2023, through August 30, 2023) and after (September 11, 2023) the seismic event.
To create a comprehensive landscape map, Sentinel-1’s radar emits microwave pulses towards Earth’s surface and then collects the reflected signals. The damage proxy data from EOS-RS was integrated with a Landsat 9 image and a digital elevation model based on data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The result presents nuanced details, revealing damage in Adassil and Tafeghaghte, settlements close to the epicenter. Dark red pixels signify areas of severe damage or alterations to the landscape, while orange and yellow areas indicate moderate or partial damage. Each pixel is approximately 30 meters in size.
Repercussions for Local Populations
Urban localities in Marrakesh experienced severe tremors, but the highest level of devastation was observed in smaller, rural communities in the High Atlas Mountains. Adassil, located less than 10 kilometers from the earthquake’s epicenter, was badly damaged after facing the quake’s fiercest shakes. Tafeghaghte has largely been reduced to debris, and a significant portion of its population is either deceased or unaccounted for, as reported by the BBC.
Initial verification of the map’s accuracy was conducted by comparing it with high-resolution optical imagery and news reports, according to EOS-RS. It should be noted that the map’s reliability diminishes over vegetated regions.
Historical Context
Large earthquakes are infrequent in western Morocco, but they are not unprecedented. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake near Agadir in 1960 resulted in up to 15,000 casualties. U.S. Geological Survey records indicate that until 2023, no earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher have occurred within 500 kilometers of the 1960 event. Stronger earthquakes are more typical in northern Morocco near the Mediterranean Sea, as highlighted by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in February 2004 and a 6.3 magnitude in January 2016.
NASA’s Contribution
NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences Disasters division has been mobilized to assist with the Moroccan earthquake situation. As new data is made available, the team will publish maps and information on its publicly accessible mapping portal.
The damage assessment map was produced by Michala Garrison, utilizing modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2020), processed by ESA and examined by EOS-RS using software initially developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech and later modified at EOS-RS. The version from the Earth Observatory was superimposed on Landsat data obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey and combined with a digital elevation model from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Earthquake in Western Morocco
What is the main focus of the text?
The main focus of the text is to provide a detailed account of the aftermath of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred in western Morocco on September 8, 2023. The report extensively covers the role of NASA’s Earth Observatory and other organizations in mapping and assessing the damage through satellite imagery.
Who conducted the satellite imaging for damage assessment?
The damage assessment was conducted by NASA’s Earth Observatory, based on original mapping by the Earth Observatory of Singapore — Remote Sensing Lab (EOS-RS). The map uses modified Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data processed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Which areas were most affected by the earthquake?
The High Atlas Mountains, particularly remote villages within this region, were disproportionately affected. The towns of Adassil and Tafeghaghte, near the quake’s epicenter, were severely impacted.
What type of satellite technology was used for mapping the damage?
Synthetic aperture radar technology was employed in Sentinel-1’s radar, which emitted microwave pulses towards Earth’s surface and collected the reflected signals. The data was then integrated with a Landsat 9 image and a digital elevation model.
How reliable is the damage assessment map?
Preliminary validation was performed by comparing the map with high-resolution optical imagery and media reports. However, it’s noted that the map’s reliability diminishes over vegetated regions.
Is there a historical precedent for such earthquakes in Morocco?
Yes, large earthquakes have occurred in western Morocco before, but they are rare. For instance, a 5.9 magnitude quake struck coastal Morocco near Agadir in 1960, causing as many as 15,000 casualties.
What is NASA’s role going forward?
NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences Disasters division has been mobilized to assist with the situation in Morocco. As new information becomes available, maps and data products will be posted on its publicly accessible mapping portal.
More about Earthquake in Western Morocco
- NASA Earth Observatory
- Earth Observatory of Singapore — Remote Sensing Lab (EOS-RS)
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- BBC Earthquake Report
- Sentinel-1 Satellite Data
- Landsat 9 Satellite Data
- Shuttle Radar Topography Mission
- NASA’s Earth Applied Sciences Disasters Program
- Historical Earthquakes in Morocco
6 comments
It’s interesting to see the historical perspective here. Kinda puts things in context, you know. But also scary to see such big earthquakes happen after a long gap.
Heartbreaking to read about the villages in the High Atlas Mountains. those people need all the help they can get.
Wow, this is super detailed. Kudos to the writer for diggin so deep into the subject. Gotta say, never knew how much work goes into these damage assessments.
So whats NASA gonna do next? Just maps and data or some actual help on the ground? Would like to know more about that.
Good report, but how reliable are these damage assessment maps really? The article says they are less reliable in vegetated areas. So what’s the margin of error?
impressive how NASA and other agencies are using satellite tech to assess damage. I mean, synthetic aperture radar? That’s next-level stuff.