2003 Boumerdès earthquake
| UTC time | 2003-05-21 18:44:20 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 6845775 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | May 21, 2003 |
| Local time | 19:44:21 |
| Magnitude | 6.8 Mw |
| Depth | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Epicenter | 36°55′N 3°43′E / 36.91°N 3.71°E |
| Type | Dip-slip |
| Areas affected | Algeria |
| Total damage | $5 billion |
| Max. intensity | MMI X (Extreme) |
| Peak acceleration | 0.58 g |
| Tsunami | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Casualties | 2,266 killed, 10,261 injured |
The 2003 Boumerdès earthquake occurred on May 21 at 19:44:21 local time in northern Algeria. The shock had a moment magnitude of 6.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). The epicentre of the earthquake was located near the town of Thénia in Boumerdès Province, approximately 60 km east of the capital Algiers. The quake was the strongest to hit Algeria in more than twenty years – since 1980, when a magnitude 7.1 earthquake resulted in at least 2,633 deaths.