Chronology
1068 CE and 1458 CE Mass Flow Events

Description Image Source
fig. 2 Map showing location of cores and trenches Figure 2 - from Kanari et al (2015)
Grain size distribution and
14C age determinations of core MG10P27
Figure 5 - from Ash-Mor et al (2017)
Fig. 4 Grain size distribution and
14C age determinations of core P27
Figure 4 - from Kanari et al (2015)
Kanari et al (2015) suggest that two anomalous [coarse grain] events in the submarine core P27 correspond to mass flow events triggered by the earthquakes of 1068 AD and 1458 AD. Even if these events did not generate a destructive tsunami, they may may have recorded seismic activity. Dating presented, however, is not entirely convincing and what was interpreted as due to the 1068 CE earthquake may have flowed in the mid 8th century CE. Ash-Mor et al (2017:45) state that according to Kanari (2016), unit P27C in the canyon core coincides, within the error range, with a ~7MW earthquake which occurred in 948 years BP (1068 CE) and caused heavy destruction to Aqaba (Ambraseys et al., 1994; Ben-Menahem, 1991; Kagan et al., 2011).

Mass Flow Events between 40 ka and 2.5 ka

Description Image Source
Map showing location of cores and trenches Figure 2 - from Kanari et al (2015)
Grain size distribution and
14C age determinations of core MG10P27
Figure 5 - from Ash-Mor et al (2017)
Grain size distributions
of cores P17, P22, and P29
Figure 5 - from Kanari et al (2015)
Kanari et al (2015) examined several cores - P12, P17, P22 and P29 (460, 540, 320 and 280 mbsl) for coarse grain anomalous events. Ages were determined using radiocarbon dating of foraminifera, gastropod and bivalves. They came to the following conclusions:
For some events, more than one anomalous events appear to coincide in time in different cores. We suggest that where anomalous events in different cores coincide in their age constraints – it is most likely evidence for mass flow triggered by earthquake events, driving coarse material from the shallower shelf edge into the deep basin (as opposed to sporadic slumping, or mass flow triggered by flashfloods).
Kanari et al (2015) counted seven events excluding 1068 and 1458 CE events and concluded that 5 earthquakes ruptured the Avrona Playa between 14.2±0.3 and 3.7±0.3 ka in addition to two events dated to 40 ka (less confidence due to the limits of radiocarbon dating for this age) and 2.5 ka.

Notes and Further Reading
References