On the evening of Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded a moderate earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale off the coast of the Gibraltar Strait. Initial estimates had suggested a more powerful quake, but further analysis provided a clearer picture.
The earthquake was reported at a depth of approximately 97 kilometers, with coordinates of 36.0324° N and 4.5921° W. It occurred around 69 kilometers east of Gibraltar and 60 kilometers southeast of the Spanish city of Marbella. Residents from several northern Moroccan cities, including Tangier, Tetouan, M'diq, Fnideq, Larache, Ksar al-Kabir, and Ouezzane, as well as the cities of Kenitra and Rabat, reported feeling the tremor, which ranged from light to moderate intensity. Fortunately, no casualties or material damages were reported as of yet.
Additionally, the EMSC's 'Felt Reports' platform indicated that dozens of reports came in from southern Spain, especially in the Málaga region, where residents described the tremor as a "noticeable but not alarming shake." This area around the Gibraltar Strait is known for its seismic activity, primarily due to its location at the intersection of the African and European tectonic plates, which explains the periodic occurrence of earthquakes of varying magnitudes.
As reported by telegraphe.ma.
