Archaeoseismology

Archaeoseismology is the study of past earthquakes deriving from the analysis of archaeological sites. Such analysis are usually revealing unknown informations about seismic events that dont have historically recorded. Such data can also help to document seismic risk in areas with periods of extremely destructive earthquakes.^[1] In 1991, an international conference held in Athens marked the beginning of modern research in the field of Archaeoseismology, described as a "study of ancient earthquakes, and their social, cultural, historical and natural effects".^[2]

Archeological record

The archaeological record carries three different evidence of seismic activity:

• The archaeological remains are displaced due to an active fault.^[3]
• The remains and artefacts contained in destruction deposits, associated with the decline of soil or seismic vibration, can be used the dating of earthquake damage. Other archaeological evidence, such as repairs, abandonment of an archaeological site or architectural changes, can help in identifying ancient earthquakes.^[4]
• Αncient buildings and other man-made structures can be studied for signs of ancient seismic disaster, often associated with soil vibration.^[5]

References

1. Giner-Robles, J.L.; et al. (Sequridad Y Medio Ambiente). "Archaeoseismology as an emerging science". Retrieved 15 March 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. Sintubin, Manuel (2012). "Archaeoseismology". In Beer, Michael and Kougioumtzoglou, A. Ioannis and Patelli, Edoardo and Au, Siu-Kui Ιvan. Encyclopedia of Earthquake Engineering. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 1–17. ISBN 978-3-642-36197-5.
3. Altunel, E.; et al. (2003). "Earthquake faulting at ancient Cnidus, SW Turkey". Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences 12 (1): 137–151.
4. Marco, S. (2008). "Recognition of earthquake-related damage in archaeological sites: examples from the Dead Sea fault zone". Tectonophysics (453): 148–156.
5. Silva, P.G.; et al. (2009). "Surface and subsurface palaeoseismic records at the ancient Roman city of Baelo Claudia and the Bolonia Bay area, Cádiz (south Spain)". Geological Society of London. Special Publication: 93–121.

External links

• "Archaeoseismology". Academia.edu. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
• "Quantitative Methods in Archaeoseismology" (PDF). 1 st INQUA ‐ IGCP ‐ 567 International Workshop on Earthquake Archaeology and Palaeoseismology. Retrieved 16 March 2016.