as-Suyuti described two earthquakes in Damascus, one in A.H. 130 (11 September 747 – 30 August 748 CE) and another in A.H. 131 (31 August 748 – 18 August 749 CE).

During the first earthquake, the Dajaj suq [poultry market] fell from the “Great Rocks”, prompting the inhabitants of Damascus to flee the city. Several days later, rescuers digging through the ruins found a survivor still alive. The mass flight from the city and delay in rescue efforts suggest a sequence of strong aftershocks.

In the second event, the platform of the mosque reportedly opened, allowing the sky to be seen — perhaps indicating that the earthquake occurred during daylight hours (otherwise, the stars might have been mentioned). A subsequent tremor is said to have closed the gap up again.

It is possible that the A.H. 130 and A.H. 131 Damascus earthquakes represent a single event reported twice due to chronological confusion in as-Suyuti’s sources.