Tsunami hazard assessment in the coastal area of Rabat and Salé, Morocco

A comprehensive tsunami hazard assessment for the coastal areas of Rabat and Salé, Morocco, reveals significant vulnerability to seismic events. The study, part of the SCHEMA European project, developed a generic methodology combining numerical modeling, field surveys, Earth Observation, and GIS data to evaluate risk in this densely populated and rapidly developing region. Two scenarios—one based on the historical Lisbon earthquake of 1755 (worst-case) and another on the Horseshoe earthquake of 1969 (moderate)—were analyzed to estimate the range of potential hazards. The findings highlight critical inundation extents and depths, offering crucial insights for urban planning and disaster preparedness in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Renou, C., Lesne, O., Mangin, A., Rouffi, F., Atillah, A., El Hadani, D., & Moudni, H. (2011). Tsunami hazard assessment in the coastal area of Rabat and Salé, Morocco. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 11(8), 2181–2191. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-11-2181-2011