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VOL. 12, ISSUE 8 (2025)
B-value examination of the nubia-eurasia plate boundaries- appraisal for coulomb stress investigation of the september 8, 2023, Morocco
Authors
Ayodeji Adekunle Eluyemi, Michael Ayuk Ayuk, Imuetinyan Aigbogun, Peter Adetokunbo, Mako Sitali
Abstract
This study investigates the seismic evolution
of the Nubia-Eurasia plate boundaries using time-lapse seismicity analysis and
Gutenberg-Richter recurrence parameters to understand the seismo-dynamics,
stress distribution patterns, and earthquake hazard potential of the region. We
analyzed 171,824 hypocentral data points from the International Seismological
Centre (ISC) catalog spanning 45 years (1978-2024) within the geographical
bounds of 19.0000°W to 7.0000°E and 27.0000°N to 40.0000°N. The dataset was
segmented into eight five-year intervals (1978-1983, 1984-1989, 1989-1994,
1995-2000, 2001-2006, 2007-2012, 2013-2018, and 2019-2024) to examine temporal
seismicity evolution. Time-lapse seismicity maps reveal an increasing trend in
both earthquake frequency and magnitude over the study period, with pronounced
clustering along the northern coastal regions near the African-Eurasian plate
convergence zone and within the Rif Mountains. Gutenberg-Richter analysis using
maximum likelihood solutions demonstrates a significant correlation between
elevated b-values (>1.0) and the occurrence of major earthquakes exceeding
magnitude 6.0 Mw. This relationship is evident in two recent seismic windows:
the 2013-2018 interval (b-value = 1.04 ± 0.01) corresponding to the January 25,
2016, Al Hoceima earthquake (6.3 Mw), and the 2019-2024 interval (b-value =
1.08 ± 0.009) encompassing the devastating September 8, 2023, Marrakesh-Safi
earthquake (6.8 Mw) that resulted in over 2,000 fatalities. These findings
provide crucial insights for seismic hazard assessment and underscore the
urgent need for enhanced building code enforcement, early warning systems, and
comprehensive earthquake preparedness programs in this tectonically active
region.
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Pages:41-46
How to cite this article:
Ayodeji Adekunle Eluyemi, Michael Ayuk Ayuk, Imuetinyan Aigbogun, Peter Adetokunbo, Mako Sitali "B-value examination of the nubia-eurasia plate boundaries- appraisal for coulomb stress investigation of the september 8, 2023, Morocco". International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, Vol 12, Issue 8, 2025, Pages 41-46
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