1954 Chlef earthquake
| UTC time | 1954-09-09 01:04:43 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 891046 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 9 September 1954 |
| Local time | 02:04:43 |
| Magnitude | 6.7 Mw |
| Depth | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Epicenter | 36°16′N 1°35′E / 36.27°N 1.59°E |
| Type | Dip-slip |
| Areas affected | El Asnam Province French Algeria |
| Total damage | $6 million |
| Max. intensity | MMI XI (Extreme) |
| Tsunami | 0.33 m (1 ft 1 in) |
| Casualties | 1,243–1,409 dead 5,000 injured |
The 1954 Chlef earthquake struck El Asnam Province in French Algeria on 9 September at 02:04:43 local time. The shock measured 6.7 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). It destroyed Chlef, then named Orléansville, leaving over 1,243 people dead and 5,000 injured. Damage was estimated at $6 million. It was followed by multiple aftershocks. Algeria faces annual earthquakes and has undergone several changes to its earthquake building codes since its first earthquake engineering regulations from 1717.