In the Qatar Trench, oriented perpendicular to the Arava Fault within the Yotvata Playa and just south of the Yotvata extensional step, Klinger et al. (2015) identify Event E1 as the most recent surface-rupturing earthquake recorded in the trench sequence. Evidence is expressed by a dense network of fissures that cut through unit B and extend upward toward the present ground surface, defining a pseudo-event horizon near the top of the stratigraphic section. These fissures are especially abundant within the western fault zone between MM1 and MM9, but are also present, though less frequently, in the eastern fault zone. The deformation associated with E1 is dominated by brittle fracturing rather than large vertical displacement. In several locations, these cracks exhibit minor vertical offsets, but the overall magnitude of vertical deformation remains limited. According to Klinger et al. (2015), this indicates that it is likely that E1 was created by a fault rupture that terminated at the Yotvata extensional step.

Stratigraphically, E1 is constrained primarily by its position relative to unit B. Because the fissures clearly cut through unit B but do not extend into a later continuous marker horizon, the exact event surface cannot be tied to a single stratigraphic contact. Instead, the clustering of fissure terminations at approximately the same depth below the ground surface defines a pseudo-event horizon. The uppermost part of the section is characterized by channeling and interfingering deposits with limited lateral continuity, which obscures the precise relationship between deformation and sedimentation. Nevertheless, the consistent geometry of the fissures provides strong evidence that they were produced during a single earthquake event.

Chronologically, E1 is tightly constrained by radiocarbon dating of surrounding units. Klinger et al. (2015) place the event between 1434 CE and 1459 CE based on a Bayesian model of radiocarbon dates derived from detrital charcoal. Klinger et al. (2015) associate Event E1 with the 1458 CE earthquake.

Figure 5 - Trench log of the southern wall. The full resolution photomosaic of the wall is available in Fig. S1. The different stratigraphic units are indicated by letters A to H located in the synthetic stratigraphic section. Conservative position of event horizons are indicated with a dashed line, including for event Esuppl unambiguously visible in the eastern fault zone only. E8 is indicated for reference, although the dashed line corresponds to E7 event horizon (see discussion in text). Esupp2, between E8 and E9 is not indicated. Meter Marks (MM) are indicated above the trench. Dated ¹⁴C samples are indicated by star. To the west, a few samples have been collected up to 2 m outside the gridded wall, where the layers could be traced horizontally. Samples are indicated at the corresponding depth and stratigraphic position. - Click on Image to open in a new tab - Klinger et al (2015)

Figure 5 - Trench log of the southern wall. The full resolution photomosaic of the wall is available in Fig. S1. The different stratigraphic units are indicated by letters A to H located in the synthetic stratigraphic section. Conservative position of event horizons are indicated with a dashed line, including for event Esuppl unambiguously visible in the eastern fault zone only. E8 is indicated for reference, although the dashed line corresponds to E7 event horizon (see discussion in text). Esupp2, between E8 and E9 is not indicated. Meter Marks (MM) are indicated above the trench. Dated ¹⁴C samples are indicated by star. To the west, a few samples have been collected up to 2 m outside the gridded wall, where the layers could be traced horizontally. Samples are indicated at the corresponding depth and stratigraphic position. - Click on Image to open in a new tab - Klinger et al (2015)