Seismotectonics of the El Asnam earthquake

The mechanism of the El Asnam earthquake of 10 October 1980 ( M s = 7.2), the strongest recorded in northwestern Africa is compatible with a convergence between the African and European plates. The thrust is also consistent with field observations and with long period data from the global network. Aftershocks cluster around the fault trace, with a maximum depth of 12 km. Maximum vertical displacement is ∼6 m and there is some left lateral motion. The fault trace of the 1954 earthquake at Beni–Rached was also reactivated.