24 December 717 Earthquake
Sources of the Earthquake:
– Theophanes: A violent earthquake in Syria.
– Agapius of Menbij: A violent earthquake took place, where many places were damaged.
– Chronicle of 846: A violent earthquake occurred and sound like a big torus.
– Michael the Syrian: A big earthquake.
– Georgius Cedrenus: An earthquake in Syria.
– Elias of Nisibis: An earthquake was in Mesopotamia, where many houses fell down. Shocks continued for 3 months.
– Chronicon Pseudo-Dionysus of Tell-Mahre: A big earthquake destroyed many places, temples, churches and the ancient church of Edessa and Batnan of Sarugi. Same happened for important tall constructions which fell down over the citizens [note: the author seems to be merging information from different dates or earthquakes 678].
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Seismological compilations:
– Guidoboni et al. (1994): In 717-718 a strong earthquake in Syria (Theophanes). A great earthquake on 24 December (Syriac Chronicle of 846). In 717-718 a severe and terrible earthquake destroyed many places, including temples, churches and great buildings, in particular Batan and the ancient church of Edessa were destroyed (Pseudo-Dionysius). In the year (14 August 717-2 August 718) an earthquake was in Mesopotamia, where many houses collapsed and the shocks lasted for six months (Elias of Nisibis).