Rabat, Morocco – A series of blue flashes were seen in the sky above Morocco on Saturday night, shortly after a powerful earthquake struck the country. The flashes were captured by security cameras and shared on social media, drawing comparisons to similar phenomena seen during earthquakes in Turkey and Syria earlier this year.
The same flash appeared during the moment of an earthquake in Turkey and Syria.-Image Source: Sky News
Scientists say the blue flashes are caused by friction between tectonic plates as they shift and break during an earthquake. The friction creates heat, which can cause the air to ionize, resulting in a flash of blue light.
مقطع من كاميرا مراقبة في المغرب تظهر ومضات ضوء زرقاء غامضة في الأفق مع العلم أن هذه الأضواء ظهرت نفسها لحظة وقوع زلزال تركيا وسوريا قبل 7 أشهر. pic.twitter.com/EH8TKlnNb0
— Arab-Military (@ashrafnsier) September 10, 2023
The earthquake struck at 10:36 PM local time, with a magnitude of 6.8. It was centered about 72 kilometers (45 miles) south-southwest of the city of Marrakech.
The quake caused widespread damage in the region, including the collapse of buildings and infrastructure. The Moroccan government has declared a three-day period of national mourning for the victims, who have now been confirmed to number at least 201.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has ordered the government to accelerate rescue efforts and provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake.
In a statement released by the Royal Palace, the king said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and offered his condolences to the victims and their families.
The earthquake is the latest in a series of seismic events to hit the Mediterranean region in recent months. In April, a powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, killing more than 40,000 people.
