Akyuz et al. (2006) identify the oldest event in the Ziyaret trench and correlate it with what may be equivalent events observed in the Harabe and Yazlik trenches. In the Ziyaret trench, this earliest rupture is recognized at the base of the stratigraphic sequence, where Unit I is faulted, while Unit II overlies it without deformation. This relationship indicates that the event occurred after deposition of Unit I but before deposition of Unit II.

Dating is constrained by a single charcoal radiocarbon sample (Z-27) collected at the base of Unit II in the Ziyaret trench, which provides a terminus ante quem but no terminus post quem. Akyuz et al. (2006:289–290) report “a calibrated age of 983 A.D.” for this sample, while their age model in Table 3 indicates a 2σ range of 943–1018 CE. Akyuz et al. (2006) suggest that the oldest event corresponds to the 859 CE Syrian Coast Earthquake, which caused damage in Antioch, Latakia, and other locations along the northern Syrian coast and is discussed by Ambraseys (2009:243–244), Guidoboni et al. (1994:384–385 Event 271), and others.

Akyuz et al. (2006:289–290) report that “the Ziyaret trench site is located close to the southern margin of the Amik Basin” and “was dug on the northern side of an eastward-flowing stream bed that is sinistrally offset by 68 ± 1 m.” This displacement indicates that the dominant motion during this event was strike-slip.

Figure 8 - Log of Ziyaret trench, southern wall - click on image to open in a new tab - Akyuz et al (2006)