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Falllen Walls of Tripoli Quake(s)

~1063 CE

by Jefferson Williams








Introduction & Summary

An earthquake or a series of earthquakes struck the Syrian littoral around 1063 CE. The sources, none of which were contemperaneous, disagree on the date of the earthquake(s) and whether there were one or several earthquakes. They do tend to agree, however, on where the earthquake struck - specifically Antioch, Tripoli, Latakia, Tyre, and Akko. Many report that the walls of Tripoli were damaged during the shaking. Two of the earlier authors (Ibn al-Jawzi and Ibn al-Athir) date the earthquake to Sha’ban A.H. 455 which corresponds to 30 July - 27 August 1063 CE. This is the date that shows up in the scientific literature and, while it may be the most probable date, it is not a certain date. Matthew of Edessa dates the earthquake(s) to 1053/1054 CE - a decade earlier. Although Matthew is the earliest author and may have accessed eye-witness accounts, his account is heavily embellished and full of polemic and fantastical supernatural elements. It is possible that he adjusted dates to further a theological agenda1. In reading the various accounts, one is left with the impression that there were either multiple earthquakes or an extended period of energetic aftershocks that lasted perhaps a month. Several authors state that many places were destroyed however it is hard to tell how independent these sources were. The Islamic authors tend to repeat the same elements of the story which suggests some common sourcing.

Because specifically located damage reports come from exclusively coastal sites, Ambraseys (2009) suggested that this earthquake may have been due to fault breaks from offshore Cyprus (SE of the island). Another possibility is that there was uplift on the Roum-Tripoli thrust fault2 which traces offshore from just south of Beirut and returns to land in Tripoli. The most compelling corroborating scientific evidence may come from Byblos (see Paleoseismic Evidence) where Morhange et al (2006:91) reported the possibility of 10th or 11th century CE coastal uplift. Byblos is ~40 km. SSW of Tripoli and roughly midway between Tripoli and Beirut.

The 1068 CE Quake(s) which struck further south perhaps half a decade later may be geomechanically related to the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake(s).

Footnotes

1 His date for the earthquake closely coincides with the Great Schism when Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches split. Although Matthew wasn't a member of either sect, his passage demonstrates antipathy towards the Eastern Orthodox church.

2 For the location of the Roum-Tripoli Thrust, see Fig. 2 from Morhange et. al. (2006:91) or Fig. 1 from Elias et. al. (2007) where this fault is approximately labeled as part of the Mount Lebanon Thrust Fault. Fig. 4 from Elias et. al. (2007) speculates that the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake(s) of ~1063 CE was due to fault breaks on the Rankine-Aabdeh, Aakkar thrust, and/or Tripoli thrust faults.

Textual Evidence

Text (with hotlink) Original Language Biographical Info Religion Date of Composition Location Composed Notes
Damage and Chronology Reports from Textual Sources n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Chronicle by Matthew of Edessa Western Armenian
Biography

member of the Armenian Apostolic Church no later than 1136 CE near the town of Kaysun In a heavily embellished account, Matthew of Edessa described an earthquake which struck Antioch. Seismic effects include damage to the Church of Saint Peter, sinking of the floor of the sanctuary, a (separate ?) shock felt in the middle of the day with another ground chasm opening this time swallowing more than ten thousand persons. Matthew dated the earthquake to 502 of the Armenian Era which corresponds to 8 March 1053 CE to 7 March 1054 CE - roughly a decade before the ~1063 CE date provided by the Muslim authors.
Ibn al-Jawzi Arabic
Biography

Hanbali Sunni Muslim 2nd half of the 12th c. CE Baghdad Ibn al-Jawzi reported that an earthquake struck Antioch, Latakia, Tripoli, Tyre, Akko, part of Byzantine controlled Syria, and, presumably, parts of Muslim controlled Syria. Depending on the translation there was one earthquake or more than one earthquake. He also reported that the walls of Tripoli collapsed. Ibn al-Jawzi provided a date of Sha’ban A.H. 455 which corresponds to 30 July - 27 August 1063 CE.
Ibn al-Athir Arabic
Biography

Sunni Muslim ~ 1200 - 1231 CE Mosul Ibn al-Athir reported that there was a major earthquake in Syria and many places were destroyed. He also repoted that the walls of Tripoli collapsed. He provided a date of Sha’ban A.H. 455 which corresponds to 30 July - 27 August 1063 CE.
Abu'l-Fida Arabic
Biography

Muslim 1329 CE ? Hama ? Abu'l-Fida reports that there was a great earthquake throughout Syria which razed many cities to the ground, and overturned the wall of Tripoli. Ambraseys (2009) supplied a date of 3 January 1063 CE in his excerpt but did not report the original date in the Islamic Calendar. 3 January 1063 CE in the Julian Calendar corresponds to 29 Dhu l-Hijja A.H. 454 (calculated using CHRONOS).
Ibn Kathir Arabic
Biography

Muslim Before 1373 CE Damascus Guidoboni and Comastri (2005) provided an excerpt where Ibn al-Kathir states that an earthquake struck [...] the Syrian province.
as-Suyuti Arabic
Biography

Sufi Muslim 15th c. CE Cairo as-Suyuti reports that a very violent earthquake occurred in Wasit, Antioch, Latakia, Tyre, Akko, Crusader occupied Syria, and Muslim occupied Syria. He also reports that part of the girdle wall of Tripoli fell. Differing dates are provided in Ambraseys' (2009) translation (1 June - 29 June 1063 CE) and Sprenger's (1843) translation (30 July - 27 August 1063 CE) with Sprenger's (1843) date better aligned with other sources. Ambraseys (2009) suggests that as-Suyuti falsely conflated damage in Wasit from another earthquake (presumably in Iraq) with the 1063 CE earthquake on the Syrian littoral.
Muhammad al-Umari Arabic
Biography

Before ca. 1811 CE Muhammad al-Umari reports that there were mighty earthquakes in Syria, which lasted for some days where the walls of Tripolis were destroyed, houses were wrecked, and a large number perished beneath the ruins. Then, he reports that the earthquakes ceased.
Text (with hotlink) Original Language Biographical Info Religion Date of Composition Location Composed Notes
Damage and Chronology Reports from Textual Sources

Seismic Effects

Effect Sources Notes
Walls in Tripoli collapsed Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn al-Athir, Abu'l-Fida, as-Suyuti, al-Umari
Chasms opened in Antioch Matthew of Edessa
Wrecked Houses al-Umari
Many places or cities destroyed Abu'l-Fida, Ibn al-Athir, Abu'l-Fida
Earthquakes (plural) Reported Matthew of Edessa, Ibn al-Jawzi, al-Umari
  • Matthew of Edessa appears to record two seperate shocks
  • Ibn al-Jawzi reports earthquakes (plural) in one translation and a single earthquake in another translation
  • al-Umari says the earthquakes lasted for some days

Locations

Location Sources Notes
Tripoli Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn al-Athir, Abu'l-Fida, as-Suyuti, al-Umari
Antioch Matthew of Edessa, Ibn al-Jawzi, as-Suyuti
Latakia Ibn al-Jawzi, as-Suyuti
Tyre Ibn al-Jawzi, as-Suyuti
Akko Ibn al-Jawzi, as-Suyuti
Byzantine controlled Syria Ibn al-Jawzi, as-Suyuti
Muslim controlled Syria Ibn al-Jawzi, as-Suyuti
Undifferentiated Syria Ibn al-Athir, Abu'l-Fida, Ibn Kathir, al-Umari
Wasit as-Suyuti Ambraseys (2009) suggests that as-Suyuti falsely conflated damage in Wasit from another earthquake (presumably in Iraq) with the 1063 CE earthquake on the Syrian littoral.

The Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Dostourian (1993)

2. In the year 502 of the Armenian era [1053-1054] a fearful and horrible omen appeared and a very calamitous event took place in the city of Antioch. This phenomenon, which seemed awe-inspiring and marvelous to those observing it, appeared inside the sun. The phenomenon became an awful sign and a cause of perturbation for all the Christian faithful, to whom God by violent threats now manifested his fearful judgement. The cause of this calamity was the following. In the city of Antioch there were many Syrians who had gold and silver, and possessed wealth and all types of affluence. When their children went to the church of their faith,1 five hundred boys seated on mules went forth. [Because of all this] the Romans were very envious and harbored a deep hatred against them. Now one of the important personages of the Syrian nation possessed many slaves, and this became the pretext for bringing him to trial before the Roman patriarch.2 [Threatening him] with an [unfavorable] verdict, the Romans converted him to their faith and by his own volition rebaptized him. Thus this important personage, who had forsaken his faith, now became an enemy to the great Syrian nation.

Also at that time the Syrians were subjected to many difficulties because they were beginning to get into controversies with the Romans concerning their faith every day.3 The Romans became so insolent that they were not even conscious of their actions for the patriarch went so far as to order the [Syriac] Christian Gospels burned. When they placed the Gospels of God in the fire, a voice came forth from the Gospels and they escaped the flames of the fire. They put the Gospels in the fire a second time, and once again [the Gospels] escaped the flames of the fire. Indeed, becoming enraged, they insolently dropped the Holy Gospels into the fire for the third time, and once again [the Gospels] came out unharmed. When they repeated this act for the fourth time, then the Holy Gospels ignited in the midst of the fire; in this way the Holy Gospels of Christ, our God, were burned by the Romans in the city of Antioch. Now, when the Roman patriarch and all his people returned to the church from the spot where the burning had taken place, they were filled with great exultation, as if they had been victorious over a wicked enemy. When they entered the Church of Saint Peter, the whole place resounded with a crashing noise, and a violent tremor shook the entire city of Antioch. On another day fire fell upon the Church of Saint Peter from heaven, and like a lamp the entire church flared up from its foundations. The stone burned like a woodpile, and the rising flames reached up to the sky. The ground of the sanctuary was torn open, and the sacramental table sunk into the hole made there; the bright gem which the emperor Constantine4 had placed in Saint Peter, along with two hundred thousand pieces of gold which had always remained upon the holy altar to serve as a light during the night, was swallowed up by the earth and never found again. Four other [Roman] churches were burned by this fire from heaven along with Saint Peter, but no church of the Armenians or Syrians was harmed.

When this happened, the inhabitants of the whole city of Antioch were horror-struck and stood in fear and trembling. Then everyone began to pray, all the inhabitants of the city weeping and with heavy groans beseeching God. The Roman patriarch went forth, accompanied by priests, deacons, other clerics, and a great crowd of men and women, including old people and children; they processed through the city, dressed in ecclesiastical garb and carrying magnificent religious objects. When they reached the parade grounds of the Romans at the place where a small bridge was built over a mountain torrent, the whole ground suddenly reverberated, and there occurred an earthquake in the middle of the day at the sixth hour. At that moment the earth was torn apart and, opening wide, swallowed up the entire crowd of clergy and people into its depths, more than ten thousand persons. For fifteen days the sounds of their cries came forth from the depths of the abysses. Finally they suffocated, for the earth closed over them, and to this day they remain buried there. Thus, because of their many sins, the inhabitants of the city of Antioch suffered these calamities at the hands of God, the righteous judge. It is not even worth remembering the wicked deeds which the ecclesiastics and the Greek faithful of all ranks committed in the city of Antioch. The smoke of their wicked deeds rose higher than that of Sodom and Gomorrah,5 and thus their fate proved that they indeed deserved the punishment they received. For in Sodom and Gomorrah the fire came down in order to kill the evildoers, while in the sinful city of Antioch the same evildoers were exterminated and killed by fire and abysses opening up; yet the inhabitants of this city still persisted in their impious beliefs. Professing piety, they nevertheless performed the deeds of unfaithful and wicked men, for they took delight in impure acts which are odious to hear and very disgusting to relate. What shall I say of these evildoers when the Savior considered it a grave sin for us to even look at a woman? Moreover, what shall I say of the rampant sodomy, a sin for which the Lord himself made the city of Antioch pay the penalty ?6
Footnotes

1. Matthew is referring here to the Syrian Orthodox (Jacobite) church as opposed to the Byzantine Orthodox church.

2. The Byzantine Orthodox patriarch of Antioch.

3. There were various doctrinal and ritual differences between the two churches. Cf. sec. 30, n. 3.

4. Constantine I (324-337) under whom Christianity became a legalized religion in the Roman empire.

5. Cf. Genesis 19.

6. The Armenian historian Vardan Vardapet corroborates Matthew's account of the earthquake of Antioch, although differing in a few minor details and giving a much shorter account. Vardan states that, because of the earthquake, ten thousand people died, including the Greek patriarch. He also says that four attempts were made to burn the Syriac Gospels, the fifth attempt succeeding, and compares the whole incident to Christ's crucifixion by the Jews

English from Ambraseys (2009)

In the year 502 [8 March 1053 to 7 March 1054] a terrifying sign appeared in the city of Antioch, a portent of mass destruction which was made manifest by divine wrath . . . [Disputes between Roman and Syrian Christians: the Latin patriarch of Antioch and his clergy burn the Syrian gospels publicly and return rejoicing to St Peter’s church.] When they had returned, a terrible crash shook the entire building, and a violent earthquake shook the whole city. On another day the fire of heaven fell on St Peter’s, and the church became like a brazier and was overturned . . . The floor of the sanctuary opened, and the altar of the Holy Sacrifice was swallowed up into the depths of the earth . . . Forty other churches belonging to the Romans were consumed by the lightning along with St Peter’s, whereas those of the Armenians and the Syrians suffered no damage . . . [The people do public penance, led by the Latin patriarch and his clergy.] When they [the penitential procession] reached Hor’om-Meidan [“the place of the Romans”], at the place where the little bridge is, built on the mountain torrents, the earth suddenly roared, and an earthquake was felt. This was in the middle of the day, towards the sixth hour. At the same moment the earth opened, uncovering the abysses, and it swallowed up the patriarch, the priests and all the crowd, which came to a total of 10,000 people. For a fortnight plaintive cries issued from this chasm: then those wretches were suffocated when the earth closed up over them: and they stayed buried. (Matth. Edess. 95–97).

Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
8 March 1053 CE to 7 March 1054 CE year 502 of the Armenian era none
  • Armenian year 502 converted to a Gregorian dates of 14 March 1053 CE to 13 March 1054 CE using planetcalc.com
  • Gregorian dates converted to Julian Dates of 8 March 1053 CE to 7 March 1054 CE using CHRONOS
  • Matthew's dates differ by a decade with the Muslim authors
Seismic Effects Locations Notes and Further Reading
References

The Book on Rightly ordered Things and the Collection of Necessary Things dealing with the History of the Kings and the Nation by Ibn al-Jawzi

Kitab al-muntazam by ابن الجوزي

Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Ibn al-Jawzi ابن الجوزي
al-Jauzi ابن ال
Jamaladdin Abul-Faraj 'Abdarrahman ibn abil-Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Jauzi al-Qurashi at-Taymi al-Bakri
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān b. ʿAlī b. Muḥammad Abu 'l-Faras̲h̲ b. al-Jawzī
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

(a.H. 455) In the month of Sha’aban an earthquake occurred at Antioch and Ladhiqyya, in part of the country of Rum, at Tripoli, Tyre and Acre in Sham. The walls of Tripoli collapsed. (Ibn al-Jauzi, al-Munt. 8/231).

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

In the month of Shaban, there were earthquakes at Antioch, Laodicea, in part of Byzantine territory, at Tripoli, at Sur, and at various places in the Syrian territories. The walls of Tripoli collapsed.

Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
30 July - 27 August 1063 CE Sha’ban A.H. 455 none Calculated using CHRONOS
Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Notes
Ibn al-Jawzi vs. Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi

The Complete History by Ibn al-Athir

الكامل في التاريخ by علي عز الدین بن الاثیر الجزري Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Ibn al-Athir
Ali 'Izz al-Din Ibn al-Athir al-Jazari علي عز الدین بن الاثیر الجزري
Abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ash-Shaybani
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

Sham was the location of an earthquake. (Ibn al-Athir al-Kamil 10/30).
(Sha’ban 455) There was a major earthquake in Syria: many places were destroyed, and the walls of Tripoli collapsed (Ibn al-Athir, B. x. 30).

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

there was a tremendous earthquake in the Syrian territories.

Original Document

  • not bookmarked


Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
30 July - 27 August 1063 CE Sha’ban A.H. 455 none Calculated using CHRONOS
Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Concise History of Humanity by Abu'l-Fida

المختصر في أخبار البشر by أبو الفداء

Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Abu'l-Fida أبو الفداء
Abū al-Fidāʾ أبو الفداء
Abulfeda Latinized
Ismāʿīl b. ʿAlī b. Maḥmūd b. Muḥammad b. ʿUmar b. Shāhanshāh b. Ayyūb b. Shādī b. Marwān إسماعيل بن علي بن محمود بن محمد بن عمر بن شاهنشاه بن أيوب بن شادي بن مروان
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

(3 January 1063) At the same time there was a great earthquake throughout Syria which razed many cities to the ground, and overturned the wall of Tripoli (Abu’l Fida iii. 199).

Original Document

  • not bookmarked


Chronology

Ambraseys (2009) supplied a date of 3 January 1063 CE in his excerpt but did not report the original date in the Islamic Calendar. 3 January 1063 CE in the Julian Calendar corresponds to 29 Dhu l-Hijja A.H. 454 (calculated using CHRONOS).

Seismic Effects Locations Online Versions and Further Reading
References

The Beginning and the End by Ibn Kathir

Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya by ابن كثير

Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Ibn Kathīr ابن كثير
Abu al-Fiḍā ‘Imād Ad-Din Ismā‘īl ibn ‘Umar ibn Kathīr al-Qurashī Al-Damishqī إسماعيل بن عمر بن كثير القرشي الدمشقي أبو الفداء عماد
Abū l-Fidāʾ Ismāʿīl ibn ʿUmar ibn Kaṯīr أبو الفداء إسماعيل بن عمر بن كثير
Imād ad-Dīn عماد الدين
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

an earthquake struck [...] the Syrian province.

Chronology

A date was not provided in the excerpt from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Sources and Dependants

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Clearing up the Description of Earthquakes by Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

كتاب كشف الصلصلة عن وصف الزلزلة by عبد الرحمن بن كمال الدين أبي بكر بن محمد سابق الدين خضر الخضيري الأسيوطي

Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Al-Suyuti
As-Suyuti
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti
Abu 'l-Fadl 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr ibn Muhammad Djalal al_Din al-Khudayri
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

In the month of latter Jumada of the year 455 [30 April 1065 to 28 May 1066] a very violent earthquake occurred in Wasit’, Ant’akia, al-Ladhiqiyya, Sur, ‘Akka, ar-Rum and Ard’ ash-Sham: it caused part of the girdle-wall of T’arabulus (Tripoli) to fall. (al-Suyuti 60/19).

English from Sprenger (1843)

A.H. 455. Sha'ban; at Wasit, Antiochia, Laodicea, Sul, Akka and over all Syria. The Walls of Tripoli were destroyed

English from Sprenger (1843) - embedded



An Original Manuscript

  • The Noor book courtesy of Najib Abou Karaki (personal correspondence, 2022)





























Chronology
Sprenger (1843)'s Translation
Year Reference Corrections Notes
30 July - 27 August 1063 CE Sha'ban A.H.455 none
Ambraseys (2009)'s Translation
Year Reference Corrections Notes
1 June - 29 June 1063 CE Jumada of the year A.H.455 Ambraseys (2009) miscalculated the dates. Correct dates are shown here
Seismic Effects Locations
Footnotes

1 Ambraseys (2009) refers to an earthquake in June 1063 CE as being the previous entry in his catalog but the previous entry is a 1059 CE earthquake report from Bulgaria which he labeled as spurious. The catalog entry before the spuriously labeled Bulgaria Quake is an 8 Dec. 1058 CE earthquake in Eastern Iraq where there are reports of damage in Wasit.

Notes and Further Reading
References

Muhammad al-Umari

Background

Background

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

There were mighty earthquakes in Syria, which lasted for some days. The walls of Tripolis were destroyed; the earthquake wrecked houses and a large number perished beneath the ruins. Then it ceased. (al-’Umari, f. 56v–f. 57r).

Chronology

A date was not provided in the excerpt from Ambraseys (2009)

Seismic Effects Locations Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Archaeoseismic Evidence

Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Tiberias - Introduction n/a n/a n/a
Tiberias - Mount Berineke possible Archaeoseismic Evidence from the church on top of Mount Berineke is undated ( Ferrario et al, 2014)
Tiberias - Basilica possible ≥ 8 End of Phase II earthquake - 11th century CE - Hirschfeld and Meir (2004) noted that Stratum I was built above the collapse [of Stratum II] caused by an earthquake. Stratum I was dated to the 11th century CE while stratum II was dated to the 9th-10th centuries CE.
Tiberias - House of the Bronzes possible End of Stratum II Earthquake - 11th-12th century CE - Hirschfeld Gutfeld (2008) proposed that debris on top of Stratum II indicates that Stratum II was terminated by an earthquake. Stratum II was dated from the 10th - 11th centuries CE. Overlying Stratum I was dated from the 12th-14th centuries CE.
Tiberias - Gane Hammat possible ≥ 8 End of Phase IIb destruction layer - ~11th century CE - Onn and Weksler-Bdolah (2016) wrote the following about the end of Phase IIb
All of the buildings were destroyed at the end of Phase IIb, probably by the strong earthquake that struck the region in 1033/4 [i.e., the 11th century CE Palestine Quakes]; both historical sources and the remains in other cities attest to this event. Following the earthquake, some of the buildings were left in ruins, but others were rebuilt. The buildings in Area A, for example, was never restored: the columns that had collapsed in the earthquake were discovered toppled on the floors of the courtyards belonging to the Phase IIb building.
Umm el-Qanatir possible ≥ 8 2nd Earthquake - undated - Wechsler et al (2008) report a collapse layer in a makeshift house that was built inside an abandoned synagogue that was likely seismically damaged from one of the Sabbatical Year Quakes (the Holy Desert Quake). The collapse layer from the makeshift house is not dated.
Kedesh possible ≥ 8 The Roman Temple at Kedesh exhibits archaeoseismic effects and appears to have been abandoned in the 4th century CE; possibly due to the northern Cyril Quake of 363 CE. Archaeoseismic evidence at the site could be due to 363 CE and/or other earthquakes in the ensuing ~1600 years. See Fischer et al (1984) and Schweppe et al (2017)
Jericho - Introduction n/a n/a n/a
Jericho - Hisham's Palace possible to unlikely ≥ 8
9-10		 Later Earthquake - Alfonsi et al (2013) dated the causitive earthquake for the major seismic destruction at Hisham's Palace to the earthquake of 1033 CE unlike previous researchers who dated it to one of the Sabbatical Year earthquakes. Their discussion is reproduced below:
The archaeological data testify to an uninterrupted occupancy from eighth century until 1000 A.D. of the Hisham palace (Whitcomb, 1988). Therefore, if earthquakes occurred in this time period, the effects should not have implied a total destruction with consequent occupancy contraction or abandonment. Toppled walls and columns in the central court cover debris containing 750-850 A.D. old ceramic shards (Whitcomb, 1988). Recently unearthed collapses north of the court confirm a widespread destruction after the eighth century (Jericho Mafjar Project - The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago). These elements support the action of a destructive shaking event at the site later than the 749 A.D. earthquake. The two well-constrained, major historical earthquakes recognized in the southern Jordan Valley are the 749 and 1033 A.D. (Table 1; Marco et al (2003); Guidoboni and Comastri, 2005). We assign an IX—X intensity degree to the here-recorded Hisham damage, whereas a VII degree has been attributed to the 749 A.D. earthquake at the site (Marco et al, 2003). Furthermore, Whitcomb (1988) defines an increment of occupation of the palace between 900 and 1000 A.D. followed by a successive occupation in the 1200-1400 A.D. time span. On the basis of the above, and because no pottery remains are instead associated with the 1000-1200 A.D. period at Hisham palace (Whitcomb, 1988), we suggest a temporary, significant contraction or abandonment of the site as consequence of a severe destruction in the eleventh century.
Mishmar David possible ≥ 6 or ≥ 7 End of Stratum V Earthquake - 11th century CE - Yannai (2014) noted that an immense building in Stratum V of Area B was damaged, possibly in another earthquake, either that of 1033 or of 1068 CE. Yannai (2014) noted that Stratum V buildings [in Sub-Area C1] were destroyed by a second earthquake, either the one that struck in 1033 or that of 1068 CE.
Beit-Ras/Capitolias possible Later Earthquakes - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14) discussed archaeoseismic evidence for later post abandonment earthquakes
We believe that filling up the cavea and orchestra of the theater happened parallel with the construction of the enclosing wall that essentially put all of the remaining building underground. Underground facilities are significantly less vulnerable to seismic excitation than that above-ground buildings (Hashash et aL, 2001). Understandably, when each wall and arch are supported by embedding sediment (dump in Beit-Ras), the observed deformations of the excavated theater mostly cannot develop unless unsupported. Therefore, evidence of damage due to any subsequent events, such as A.D. 551, 634, 659, and 749, cannot be observed, because the possibility of collapse of buried structures is not plausible. However, potential collapse of other above-ground structures within the site of Beit-Ras cannot be ignored, such as the upper elements of the theater's structures, which were still exposed after the filling of the theater with debris. Several observations indicated that many collapsed elements of the upper parts of the theater were mixed with the debris, as documented in excavation reports by Al-Shami (2003, 2004). Another example suggesting the effect of the later events, such as that of A.D. 749. Mlynarczyk (2017) attributed the collapse of some sections of the city wall of Beit-Ras to this event, based on the concentration of collapsed ashlars and the age of collected pottery from two trenches excavated to the west of the theater structure.
Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) also noted the following about the eastern orchestra gate:
The basalt masonry in the upper left suggests a later local collapse and repair phase, where the basalt courses are overlaying the marly-chalky limestone to the left of the walled arched eastern gate.
Reṣafa possible to unlikely Al Khabour (2016) notes that the Basilica of St. Sergius (Basilica A) suffered earthquake destructions but did not supply dates. The apse displays fractures that appear to be a result of earthquakes or differential subsidence
Fig. 2

Rusafa: the huge church containing the remains of St. Sergio.

Al Khabour (2016)
. Sack et al (2010:307) reported that from the building of the church [Basilica A first built in the 5th century CE] up to the abandonment of the city in the 13th century, earthquakes and the building ground weakened by underground dolines [aka sinkholes] have caused considerable damage.
Palmyra possible to unlikely 11th century CE earthquake - Kowalski (1994:59) suggests that the House rebuilt from the Praetorium on top of the Temple of Allat was destroyed by an earthquake in the 11th century CE.
The house was abandoned, maybe just like most of that area in the ninth century (Gawlikowski 1992: 68). The main entrance was walled up. The house remained unoccupied until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1042 AD (Ambraseys 1969-1971:95)20. The ruin was buried in the earth.

Footnote

20 This earthquake is dated to the tenth century A.D. by M.A.R. Colledge (Colledge 1976: 22). It is also mentioned by Ibn Taghri birdi in his chronicle An-Nugum az-Zahira V, p. 35 and dated to the 434th year of the Hegira, i.e. A.D. 1042.
Ambraseys (2009)'s entry for an earthquake in 1042 CE is as follows:
AD 1042 Tadmur

An earthquake caused great loss of life in Tadmur in Syria. It is said that Baalbek was also shaken. This information is given by a single source, which does not comment on the effects on Baalbek, or specify whether Baalbek was shaken by a different earthquake. It is likely that the Tadmur earthquake was felt only at Baalbek. Al-Suyuti (writing in the sixteenth century) records this event as happening in the same year as an earthquake in Tabriz. He does not comment on the effects on Baalbek, but, since the two cities are 250 km apart, if Baalbek was not shaken by a different earthquake, it is likely that the Tadmur earthquake was felt there only.

Note

‘. . . in the year 434 [21 August 1042 to 9 August 1043], . . . an earthquake occurred at Tadmur and at Ba’albek: most of the population of Tadmur died under the ruins.’ (al-Suyuti Kashf 56/18).
Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)'s entry for this earthquake is very similar.
Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Tiberias - Introduction



Tiberias - Mount Berineke



Tiberias - Basilica



Tiberias - House of the Bronzes



Tiberias - Gane Hammat



Umm el-Qanatir



Kedesh



Jericho and environs - Introduction



Jericho and environs - Hisham's Palace at the Khirbet el-Mefjer site



Mishmar David



Beit-Ras/Capitolias



Reṣafa



Palmyra



Tsunamogenic Evidence

Paleoseismic Evidence

Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Hacipasa Trenches no evidence None of the events in the Hacipasa Trench were dated to a time window that accommodates an earthquake in ~1063 CE.
Kazzab Trench possible ≥ 7 The Kazzab Trench transects the Yammouneh Fault - a fault which parallels the reported coastal seismic damage reports from Antioch to Tyre. Thus, this fault could have broken during the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE. Event S1, with sub-vertical breaks with 10-15 cm. of throw, was dated to between 926 and 1381 CE (2σ) and was assigned to the 1202 CE Quake by Daeron et al (2007). Additional field observations of the tectonic geomorphology of the area led Daeron et al (2007) to suggest that weathered scarps and mole tracks on the west side of the Beqaa Valley in the Yammouneh Fault zone were associated with the 1202 CE Quake.
Jarmaq Trench possible ≥ 7 Nemer and Meghraoui (2006) date Event Z to after 84-239 CE. They suggested the Safed Earthquake of 1837 CE as the most likely candidate.
al-Harif Aqueduct possible ≥ 7 The al-Harif Aqueduct was constructed across the north-trending ~90 km. long Missyaf fault segment. This fault parallels the coast and is very close to Triploi at its southern terminus. Thus, this fault could have broken during the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE. Event Z was dated to between 1010 and 1210 CE (2σ) and was assigned to the 1170 CE Quake(s) by Sbeinati et al (2010).
Byblos possible to probable Morhange et al (2006:91) noted that
A review of the vertical movements having affected Lebanon during the late Holocene shows that tectonic uplift of the coastal areas occurred around 3000 yr BP, in the 6th century AD, and possibly in the 10th to 11th centuries AD (Pirazzoli 2005, Morhange et al., submitted).
Qiryat-Shemona Rockfalls possible Event QS-4 was assigned to one of the 11th century CE Palestine Quakes (1033/4 CE) by Kanari et. al. (2019) but could also match with the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.
Bet Zayda possible ≥ 7 Marco et. al. (2005) dated Event E.H. 2 to 1020-1280 CE and assigned it to one of the 1202 CE Quakes although the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE also fits within that window. Ages were not Bayesian modeled and Event E.H. 2 had 0.5 ± 0.1 m of sinistral slip resulting in a Moment Magnitude estimate between 6.6 and 6.9.
Dead Sea - Seismite Types n/a n/a n/a
Dead Sea - En Feshka possible to unlikely 5.6 - 7 Kagan et. al. (2011) assigned a 1 cm. thick questionable seismite at 70.0 cm. depth with modeled Ages of 1048 CE ± 20 (1σ) and 1045 CE ± 43 (2σ) to the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.

The table below shows projected PGA and Intensity at En Feshka for an earthquake with an epicenter offshore from Cyprus and close to Tripoli with a Magnitude varying from 6.0-7.0. The estimated Intensity (IEst.) from the 1 cm. thick questionable seismite at 70.0 cm. depth is also shown. Considering that Lu et al (2020a) estimated a minimum PGA of 0.13 g and Williams (2004) estimated a minimum PGA of 0.23 g to generate a seismite in the Dead Sea, it seems unlikely that the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.would have left a mark in the Dead Sea unless a wave guide effect channeling seismic energy southward down the Jordan Valley was at play. A calculator is provided for experimentation.
Location Assumed Distance (km.) Range of Projected PGA's (g) Range of Projected Intensities IEst. from site
Dead Sea - En Feshka 315 0.04 - 0.10 4.0 - 5.7 5.6 - 7
Calculator
Seismic Attenuation

Variable Input Units Notes
Magnitude
km. Distance to earthquake producing fault
Variable Output - Site Effect not considered Units Notes
unitless
unitless Conversion from PGA to Intensity using Wald et al (1999)
  

Dead Sea - En Gedi no evidence Migowski et a. (2004) suggested that a seismite due to the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE was masked by a seismite assigned to the 1068 CE Quake(s).
Dead Sea - Nahal Ze 'elim no evidence At site ZA-2, Kagan et. al. (2011) did not find any seismites which dated to around the time of the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE. At site ZA-1, Ken-Tor et. al. (2001a) did not find any seismites which dated to around the time of the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.
Araba - Introduction n/a n/a n/a
Araba - Qasr Tilah possible to unlikely ≥ 7 Haynes et. al. 2006) assigned Event II, which struck between the 7th and 12th centuries CE, to one of the 1068 CE Quakes. They dated the next older event (Event III), which struck between the 7th and 12th centuries CE, to the Crash Quake of 873 CE which is very likely an incorrect assignment (one of the 11th century CE Palestine Quakes of 1033/4 CE is a better candidate).
Araba - Taybeh Trench unlikely ≥ 7 Lefevre et. al. (2018) assigned Event E3 Supp (aka E3bis), with modeled ages between 819 and 1395 CE, to the 1293 CE Quake whose epicenter appears to have been close to the Taybeh Trench.
Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Hacipasa Trenches

None of the events in the Hacipasa Trench were dated to a time window that accommodates an earthquake in ~1063 CE.



Kazzab Trench

The Kazzab Trench transects the Yammouneh Fault - a fault which parallels the reported coastal seismic damage reports from Antioch to Tyre. Thus, this fault could have broken during the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE. Event S1, with sub-vertical breaks with 10-15 cm. of throw, was dated to between 926 and 1381 CE (2σ) and was assigned to the 1202 CE Quake by Daeron et al (2007). Additional field observations of the tectonic geomorphology of the area led Daeron et al (2007) to suggest that weathered scarps and mole tracks on the west side of the Beqaa Valley in the Yammouneh Fault zone were associated with the 1202 CE Quake.

Fig. 7. - Sketches showing the sections of (a) angular-ridge type and
(b) bulge-type mole tracks. Both types of mole tracks were produced by
horizontal compression (indicated by short arrows). The angular-ridge
type mole track was produced by flexural slip folding and faulting of
the top rigid layer. The bulge-type mole track formed mainly by folding
and shortening of the unconsolidated to weakly consolidated alluvial
deposits. - Lin et al (2004)




Jarmaq Trench

Nemer and Meghraoui (2006) date Event Z to after 84-239 CE. They suggested the Safed Earthquake of 1837 CE as the most likely candidate.



Displaced Aqueduct at al Harif, Syria

The al-Harif Aqueduct was constructed across the north-trending ~90 km. long Missyaf fault segment. This fault parallels the coast and is very close to Triploi at its southern terminus. Thus, this fault could have broken during the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE. Event Z was dated to between 1010 and 1210 CE (2σ) and was assigned to the 1170 CE Quake(s) by Sbeinati et al (2010).



Byblos



Qiryat-Shemona Rockfalls

Event QS-4 was assigned to one of the 11th century CE Palestine Quakes (1033/4 CE) by Kanari et. al. (2019) but could also match with the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.



Bet Zayda (aka Beteiha)

Marco et. al. (2005) dated Event E.H. 2 to 1020-1280 CE and assigned it to one of the 1202 CE Quakes although the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE also fits within that window. Ages were not Bayesian modeled and Event E.H. 2 had 0.5 ± 0.1 m of sinistral slip resulting in a Moment Magnitude estimate between 6.6 and 6.9.



Dead Sea - Seismite Types



Dead Sea - En Feshka

Kagan et. al. (2011) assigned a 1 cm. thick questionable seismite at 70.0 cm. depth with modeled Ages of 1048 CE ± 20 (1σ) and 1045 CE ± 43 (2σ) to the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.



Dead Sea - En Gedi

Migowski et a. (2004) suggested that a seismite due to the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE was masked by a seismite assigned to the 1068 CE Quake(s).



Dead Sea - Nahal Ze 'elim

At site ZA-2, Kagan et. al. (2011) did not find any seismites which dated to around the time of the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE. At site ZA-1, Ken-Tor et. al. (2001a) did not find any seismites which dated to around the time of the Fallen Walls of Tripoli Quake of ~1063 CE.



Araba - Introduction



Araba - Qasr Tilah

Haynes et. al. 2006) assigned Event II, which struck between the 7th and 12th centuries CE, to one of the 1068 CE Quakes. They dated the next older event (Event III), which struck between the 7th and 12th centuries CE, to the Crash Quake of 873 CE which is very likely an incorrect assignment (one of the 11th century CE Palestine Quakes of 1033/4 CE is a better candidate).



Araba - Taybeh Trench

Lefevre et. al. (2018) assigned Event E3 Supp (aka E3bis), with modeled ages between 819 and 1395 CE, to the 1293 CE Quake whose epicenter appears to have been close to the Taybeh Trench.



Notes

Ambraseys (2009)

AD 1063 Aug Syrian littoral

This earthquake, probably from an epicentre offshore between Cyprus and the Syrian coast, occurred in August 1063 and caused great concern and some damage both to Byzantine and to Muslim towns along the Syrian littoral.

Maximum damage was reported from Tripoli in Muslim territory, where part of the girdle-wall of the town collapsed. There is no doubt that some of the houses in the town collapsed, perhaps with casualties, but it is difficult to believe those sources who say that Tripoli collapsed, or was razed to the ground, and that a large number of people perished.

In Ladhiqyyah, Sur and Acre the shock was very strong and parts of these towns were probably damaged.

Antiochia, in Christian territory, and contrary to grossly exaggerated statements in some of the sources, does not seem to have suffered any noteworthy damage.

There is no report of damage or perception of the shock east of the Mediterranean coast.

A notice that the earthquake was felt at Wasit is the result of the source syncretising this event with the earthquake of June 1063 in Iraq.

Aftershocks lasted for some days and then ceased.

Matthew of Edessa has a destructive earthquake in Antioch in a.Arm. 502 (8 March 1053 to 7 March 1054). He says that the earthquake destroyed buildings in Antioch, in particular the patriarchal church of St Peter, which fell when the ground opened under its foundations. Also he states that a procession, presumably taking place after the earthquake, was swallowed up when the ground opened up by the mountain above Antioch: it later closed up, entombing several thousand people, amongst whom were the Roman patriarch and his clergy (sic.). Since no other source records such an event for Antioch in 1053– 54, which city was of great political importance at the time, it is not unlikely that Matthew (or a scribe) has transposed the event by two years. His account reflects Matthew’s sympathies strongly. The initial shock, just after the ‘Roman’ patriarch and his clergy had burned the Syrian gospels, shook St Peter’s church, which, Matthew says, was later destroyed by ‘fire from heaven’ together with many other ‘Roman’ churches, ‘whereas those of the Armenians and the Syrians suffered no damage’! It is likely that St Peter’s was damaged by a thunderbolt and its destruction completed by further seismic shocks (note Matthew’s claim that the altar was swallowed up in the ground). The other churches and buildings were probably also brought down by these shocks. Matthew estimates that 10 000 people were swallowed up when the ground gave way under the ‘Roman’ penitential procession – this is very probably an exaggeration.

The death of the patriarch might provide a better idea of the date of this event. First it must be determined to which patriarch Matthew is referring: the ‘Roman’ patriarch is not, of course, a Latin cleric – the first Latin patriarch was imposed by the Crusaders in 1100 (Catholic Encyclopedia vol. 1, 569). It is more likely that he means the patriarch of the Melchites, who was in communion with Constantinople (thus the patriarch loyal to the Roman Empire), most of them urban Syrians (ODB vol. 2, 1332), whereas the patriarch of the independent Jacobites (monophysites) was followed mainly by the country people of Syria (ODB vol. 2, 1029). The dates of the patriarchs are not fully known. However, the Jacobite Athanasius died in 1063, and was succeeded the following year by John X; but the Melchite Theodosius III died after 4 April 1059, and his successor seems to have been Aemilian, who might not have been enthroned until 1074 (Grumel 1958, 447–449). There were no successions in AD 1053 either. The Melchite Peter III was patriarch from spring 1052 to after August 1056, and the Jacobite John IX from August 1049 to 1058. In view of the innate implausibility of Matthew’s statement that the ‘Roman’ (Melchite) churches collapsed but the ‘Syrian’ (Jacobite) churches did not, it is possible that the Jacobite patriarch Athanasius VI was swallowed up in the ground, but that Matthew has changed this because of his antipathy to the Byzantines (Ibn Kathir, Bidaya, 12/89).

Ibn al-Jauzi (writing in the twelfth century) places this event in Sha’ban of a.H. 455 (30 July to 27 August 1063), and notes that it affected Antioch, Laodicea, Tripoli, Tyre and Acre, caused the walls of Tripoli to collapse, and also affected Rum (i.e. Byzantine territory).

Later authors add little new information. Abu’l Fida places the earthquake on 3 January 1063, being the only source to give this date.

Al-Suyuti syncretises this event with the Wasit earthquake of June 1063 (see the previous entry).

Al-’Umari (died 1811), the collator of many sources now lost, adds the important detail that this earthquake ‘lasted for some days’

Notes

Notes

In the year 502 [8 March 1053 to 7 March 1054] a terrifying sign appeared in the city of Antioch, a portent of mass destruction which was made manifest by divine wrath . . . [Disputes between Roman and Syrian Christians: the Latin patriarch of Antioch and his clergy burn the Syrian gospels publicly and return rejoicing to St Peter’s church.] When they had returned, a terrible crash shook the entire building, and a violent earthquake shook the whole city. On another day the fire of heaven fell on St Peter’s, and the church became like a brazier and was overturned . . . The floor of the sanctuary opened, and the altar of the Holy Sacrifice was swallowed up into the depths of the earth . . . Forty other churches belonging to the Romans were consumed by the lightning along with St Peter’s, whereas those of the Armenians and the Syrians suffered no damage . . . [The people do public penance, led by the Latin patriarch and his clergy.] When they [the penitential procession] reached Hor’om-Meidan [“the place of the Romans”], at the place where the little bridge is, built on the mountain torrents, the earth suddenly roared, and an earthquake was felt. This was in the middle of the day, towards the sixth hour. At the same moment the earth opened, uncovering the abysses, and it swallowed up the patriarch, the priests and all the crowd, which came to a total of 10 000 people. For a fortnight plaintive cries issued from this chasm: then those wretches were suffocated when the earth closed up over them: and they stayed buried. (Matth. Edess. 95–97).


(a.H. 455) In the month of Sha’aban an earthquake occurred at Antioch and Ladhiqyya, in part of the country of Rum, at Tripoli, Tyre and Acre in Sham. The walls of Tripoli collapsed. (Ibn al-Jauzi, al-Munt. 8/231).


Sham was the location of an earthquake. (Ibn al-Athir al-Kamil 10/30).


(Sha’ban 455) There was a major earthquake in Syria: many places were destroyed, and the walls of Tripoli collapsed (Ibn al-Athir, B. x. 30).


(3 January 1063) At the same time there was a great earthquake throughout Syria which razed many cities to the ground, and overturned the wall of Tripoli (Abu’l Fida iii. 199).


In the month of latter Jumada of the year 455 [30 April 1065 to 28 May 1066] a very violent earthquake occurred in Wasit’, Ant’akia, al-Ladhiqiyya, Sur, ‘Akka, ar-Rum and Ard’ ash-Sham: it caused part of the girdle-wall of T’arabulus (Tripoli) to fall. (al-Suyuti 60/19).


There were mighty earthquakes in Syria, which lasted for some days. The walls of Tripolis were destroyed; the earthquake wrecked houses and a large number perished beneath the ruins. Then it ceased. (al-’Umari, f. 56v–f. 57r).


References

Ambraseys, N. (2009). Earthquakes in the Mediterranean and Middle East: a multidisciplinary study of seismicity up to 1900. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.

Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)



(028) 1063 July 30 - August 27 [Sha'ban, 455 H.] Tripoli [Lebanon]

In 1063, in the month of Shdban (30 July - 27 August), strong earthquakes struck the coastal region stretching from present-day Turkey in the north to Lebanon in the south: at Tripoli (or Tarabulus), in Lebanon, the city walls collapsed; there was also damage at Antioch (Antakya), now in Turkey, Laodicea (now Al-Ladhiqiya), on the coast of Syria, and Tyre (or Sur), in southern Lebanon. The sources also say that the damage zone extended from part of what was then Byzantine territory to "various places in the Syrian territories", but they do not name the places affected. The principal source for this earthquake is Ibn al-Jawzi, a 12th century Arab jurist and historian, who wrote: "".
In the month of Shaban, there were earthquakes at Antioch, Laodicea, in part of Byzantine territory, at Tripoli, at Sur, and at various places in the Syrian territories. The walls of Tripoli collapsed.
Briefer reports can be found in Arab historians of later centuries. Ibn al-Athir, an Arab historian who lived in the late 12th and early 13th century, simply writes:
there was a tremendous earthquake in the Syrian territories.
Finally, Ibn Kathir, a 14th century Arab historian, records:
an earthquake struck [...] the Syrian province.
References

Guidoboni, E. and A. Comastri (2005). Catalogue of Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Mediterranean Area from the 11th to the 15th Century, INGV

Sbeinati et al (2005)


Fig. 7. Map of intensity distribution for July-August, 1063 earthquake.

〈070〉 1063 July 30-August 27

Sources Parametric catalogues Seismological compilations References

Sbeinati, M. R., R. Darawcheh, and M. Monty (2005). "The historical earthquakes of Syria: An analysis of large and moderate earthquakes from 1365 B.C. to 1900 A.D.", Ann. Geophys. 48(3): 347-435.

Zohar (2019)

1063 Aug.

Confidence Type of Quake Zone Most Reported Damage Zone Size References
Moderate Main and Aftershock Central (Israel and southern Lebanon), North (northern Lebanon and Syria) Syrian littoral Strong Ambraseys (2009), Guidoboni and Comastri (2005), Salamon (2009), Sbeinati et al. (2005), Meghraoui et al. (2003), ELI (?), KAK (?), Migowski et al. (2004), and Agnon et al. (2006)
Destructive Event reported in several independent Arabic sources

References

Zohar, M. (2019). Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Seismic Activity Associated with the Dead Sea Transform (DST) during the Past 3000 Yr. Seismological Research Letters 91(1): 207-221

Salamon (2008)

Date Short Description, comments, references Center of affected area (N/E) Est. Size (Intensity, Magnitude) Pattern of Seismicity
1063 07/30 – 08/27 Guidoboni and Comastri (2005), after Ibn al-Jawsi: “… there were earthquakes at Antioch, Laodicea, in part of Byzantine territory, at Tripoli, at Sur, and at various places in the Syrian territories. The walls of Tripoli collapsed” Around Tripoli: 34.4 / 35.6 Imax = VII-VIII
M = Moderate (7.0 > MS ≥ 6.0) 		There were earthquakes
References

Salamon (2008). Patterns of aftershock sequences along the Dead Sea Transform - Interpretation of historical seismicity, Report GSI/05/2008

Abou Karaki (1987)

English

July 29, 1063 - August 28, 1063 (Sha’ban A.H. 455)

  • June 1063, Sha’ban A.H. 455 - an earthquake in Antioch and Latakia, in part of the country of the Romans (at the time!), in Tripoli, Tyre, Acre, in Syria in general; the walls of Tripoli crumbled. (Taher, 1979 in French, Taher, 1979 in Arabic).

  • A shock in Wasit and in Syria (Taher, 1979 in Arabic).

  • Sha’ban A.H. 455, July 1063 AD - Antioch (no mention of intensity), and Acre (VIII), (Poirier and Taher, 1980).

  • Sha’ban A.H. 455 (July 30 - August 27, 1063)- at Wasit, Antioch, Sul? (On = Tyr)?, Latakia, Acre, and everywhere in Syria; the walls of Tripoli have been destroyed. (Ambraseys, 1962a).

  • August 1063 AD - Damage to Antioch, Tripoli, Latakia, Tyre, and Acre, ML = 7.1 (Ben-Menahem, 1979).

French

Dans l'intervalle (29 Juillet. 1063, 28 Août 1063) mois de Chabane 455 apr. H.

  • Juin 1063, Chabane 455 apr. H, un tremblement de terre à Antioche et à Lattaquié, dans une partie dal pays des Romains (à l'époque !), à Tripoli, Tyr, Acre, en, Syrie en général ; les murs de Tripoli s'effondrèrent. (TAHF, TAHA).

  • Une secousse à Wasit et en Syrie (TAHA).

  • Chabane 455 apr. H, juillet 1063 apr. J.C., Antioche (pas de mention d'intensité), et Acre (VIII), (PTAH).

  • Chabane 455 apr. H (30 Juillet - 27 Août 1063), à Wasit, Antioche, Sul ? (Sur = Tyr) ?, Lattaquié, Acre, et partout en Syrie ; les murs de Tripoli ont été dé¬truits. (AMBR1).

  • Août 1063 apr. J.C., Dommages à Antioche, Tripoli, Lattaquié, Tyr, et Acre, ML = 7,1 (BM1).

En marge de ce séisme, nous citons un autre, qui nous semble assez obscur et révélateur à la fois.

References

Abou-Karaki, N. (1987). Synthèse et carte sismotectonique des pays de la bordure Orientale de la Méditerranée: sismicité du système de foilles du Jourdain – Mer Morte, University of Strasbourg, France. Ph.D. Diss.

Taher (1996)

455/1063 : in the month of sha`bân (July) an earthquake occurs in Antioch and Lâdhiqiyya , in part of the Rûm country , in Tripoli, Tire and Acre and in Syria, the walls of Tripoli collapse. Ibn Kathîr says that the earthquake is felt in Wâsit92.
Footnotes

92 B. al-Djawzî , al-Muntazam , 8/231; B. al-Athîr , al-Kâmil , 10/30 ; B. Kathir , al-Biddya . 12/89.

Taher (1979)

455 A.H./1063 AD

Ibn al-Jawze1 :

In the month of Shaaban there was an earthquake in Antioch and Latakia, in part of the Rûm countries, in Tripoli, Tyre and Acre in [at?] Syria. The walls of Tripoli collapsed.
Ibn al-Athir2:
Syria was the site of an earthquake.
Ibn Kathir3:
The earthquake reached the middle of Syria, as far as Wasit.
Footnotes

1 Al Muntazam, 8/231.

2 Al Kamil, 10/30.

3 Al Bidaya, 12/89.

References

Taher, M.A. (1979): Corpus des texts arabes relatifs aux tremblements de terre et autres catastrophes naturelles, de la conquete arabe au XII H/XVIII JC, Ph.D. Thesis (Univ. Paris), 337 pp.

Paleoclimate - Droughts

Footnotes

References