Residents of the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida were thrown into a panic last week when tsunami warning posters began circulating on social media.

Moroccan authorities have reassured residents living along the coast that the recent observation of receding beach waters is not a sign of an imminent tsunami.

The Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM) issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that this phenomenon is a natural occurrence. They explained that the observed decrease in sea level along Moroccan coasts is due to tidal changes, which are influenced by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun, particularly during the full moon when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in specific alignment.

Concerns among residents of the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida were triggered last week when tsunami warning posters began circulating on social media. These posters, which warned of a potential tsunami affecting the beaches of El Jadida and nearby El Oualidia, sparked widespread anxiety among beachgoers and locals.

The situation was further aggravated when visitors noticed the receding water line on the beaches. However, the DGM emphasized that this phenomenon is well-known and not unusual. They clarified that while a tsunami is a long wave caused by an underwater seismic event that results in a sudden displacement of the ocean floor, the observed drop in sea level is unrelated to tsunami activity.

It is worth noting that on September 8, 2023, Morocco experienced a rare but powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake, which resulted in over 3,000 fatalities.