Paleoseismic evidence of legendary earthquakes: The apparition of Archangel Michael at Monte Sant'Angelo (Italy)

A large earthquake on the MSA is reported only in ancient legends, the most relevant of which being the one describing the apparition of Archangel Michael at Monte Sant'Angelo traditionally dated AD 493. Using a multidisciplinary approach, combining paleoseismic and historical data it has been possible to interpret the legend, and hereby identify an event of surface faulting before 8th century AD. A recent scarplet, up to 1 m high, on the MSA can be seen to be related to this legendary earthquake, which in turn seems to correspond to the maximum possible magnitude. Geologic phenomena observed during the earthquake at the site of the sanctuary appear to lie at the very origin of the veneration of the place.