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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2007; v. 273; p. 95-105;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2007.273.01.08
© 2007 Geological Society of London

The AD 60 Denizli Basin earthquake and the apparition of Archangel Michael at Colossae (Aegean Turkey)

Luigi Piccardi

C.N.R., Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy (e-mail: piccardi{at}geo.unifi.it)

This paper illustrates the results of a multidisciplinary study on the active tectonics of Hierapolis and Colossae in Aegean Turkey. Tectonic analysis is combined with a study of historical seismicity, highlighting the use of historical sources from oral tradition (legends and myths) to derive important geological information for which the legendary account is the only witness. Strong correlation between tectonic and historical/mythological data suggests that the legendary narration is based on real geological events. This allows a better understanding of the local active tectonics and seismic history. At Hierapolis, it is possible to recognize evidence of surface faulting from the AD 60 earthquake. At Colossae, we can reconstruct the local geomorphic evolution, and show its relationship to the AD 60 earthquake.