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 Esupp1 primarily in the eastern fault zone as a series of faint, mostly vertical cracks observed between MM18 and MM23, with possible additional expression in subtle fractures near MM6 and MM8 in the western fault zone. Esupp1 lacks a clear, laterally continuous event horizon and cannot be traced confidently across the trench. The deformation attributed to this event is restricted to narrow cracking with little to no measurable vertical offset. Many of these cracks are not rooted in deeper fault structures and do not display the systematic geometry observed for larger events. Their faint expression and lack of consistent stratigraphic termination suggest that they may represent either secondary cracking triggered by shaking from a distant earthquake or a local, smaller-magnitude rupture that did not produce significant surface displacement.

Stratigraphically, Esupp1 is situated between events E4 and E3, but its precise position is difficult to define due to the discontinuous nature of the deposits in this part of the trench. The upper units in this interval are characterized by channeling, interfingering layers, and lateral variability, which obscure the relationships between cracks and sedimentary boundaries. As a result, the assignment of these fractures to a distinct seismic event remains tentative. The lack of a well-defined event horizon and the absence of clear offsets limit the confidence in correlating these features across the trench.

Chronologically, Klinger et al. (2015) place Esupp1 between 806 CE and 1044 CE based on a Bayesian model of radiocarbon dates derived from detrital charcoal. Esupp1 is perhaps best interpreted as a minor or distal seismic signal, recording shaking or limited faulting rather than a major surface-rupturing earthquake at the site.

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)