Paleoseismology and Archeoseismological Studies of Historical Earthquakes

Paleoseismology and archeoseismology combine geological trenching, geophysical imaging and archaeological investigation to reconstruct seismic events beyond the instrumental era. By excavating fault scarps, identifying seismotectonic deformations in sediments and artefacts, and dating displacements through methods such as radiocarbon analysis, researchers develop chronologies of prehistoric and historical earthquakes. These disciplines reveal recurrence intervals of large ruptures, magnitudes of ground shaking and patterns of ground‐failure phenomena such as liquefaction. Integration of palaeo- and archaeological indicators enhances seismic hazard maps, informing building codes and risk mitigation in densely populated regions. Field evidence from river terraces, lacustrine sequences and ancient settlements provides concrete examples of past seismicity across Asia, Europe and the Americas. By linking geomorphic markers with cultural remains, this research elucidates the impact of earthquakes on civilisations and refines models of fault behaviour under long-term tectonic loading.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have applied high-resolution stratigraphic analysis to reveal a novel earthquake ripple hazard. Field surveys in northwest China documented complex ground deformation—comprising sediment spray, liquefaction features, slope collapse and mudflows—triggered by a contemporary earthquake that mirrors processes inferred at a prehistoric settlement. Detailed sedimentological and geomorphic mapping reinterpreted the destruction of a four‐millennia‐old archaeological site, demonstrating that strong ground motion and associated secondary hazards are preserved as distinct stratigraphic signatures. This work introduces the concept of a ripple hazard, emphasising the need to recognise multi‐phase sedimentary disturbances when assessing the seismic resilience of ancient sites.

Paleoseismology and Archeoseismological Studies of Historical Earthquakes publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in paleoseismology and archeoseismological studies of historical earthquakes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Paleoseismology: Study of prehistoric earthquakes through geological evidence such as fault scarps, deformed sediments and sedimentary sequences.

Archeoseismology: Investigation of past seismic events using archaeological structures and cultural deposits as indicators of ground motion and deformation.

Liquefaction: Process by which saturated, loosely packed sediments lose strength and stiffness under earthquake shaking, behaving as a fluid.

Seismotectonic deformation: Structural changes in the Earth’s crust—such as fissures, warping or displacement—caused by seismic fault rupture.

Radiocarbon dating: Technique for determining the age of organic materials by measuring the decay of carbon-14, widely used to date earthquake-related sediments.

References

1. Recent Jishishan earthquake ripple hazard provides a new explanation for the destruction of the prehistoric Lajia Settlement 4000a B.P.. Scientific Reports (2024).
2. KAZANTIP VOSTOCHNYI SETTLEMENT IN THE 1st CENTURY BCE AND SEISMOTECTONICS OF THE CRIMEAN AZOV REGION. Proceedings in Archaeology and History of Ancient and Medieval Black Sea Region (2023).
3. Basic Parameters and Characteristics of Seismicity in Mongolia. Proceedings of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (2011).