An earthquake struck Jerusalem the moment Jesus died on the cross. The event caused the watching Centurion to proclaim Jesus was truly the Son of God (Matt. 27:50-51, 54). Steven A. Austin recently found evidence for the earthquake; it can be seen in an online abstract (Geological Society of America, 2012 National Meeting). The importance of this discovery will become clear to Biblical scholars as Austin presents his talks.
The reason we are able to see earthquake evidence 2000 years after the fact is due to a record of mud accumulation lakes typically leave. Lakes record geologic events much like tree rings record seasons. Such a lake near Jerusalem is the well-known Dead Sea. The Dead Sea, like all lakes, records yearly layers of mud that can be read as a natural archive. The layers can be counted back to the time of the crucifixion, and before. We can identify an earthquake in this record of layers since even small earth movements disturb these mud layers. Ground movements of greater intensity disturb more sediment and leave more prominent earthquake layers (known as seismites). Two such obvious layers stand out in the sediments around the Dead Sea – one for the 31 B.C. earthquake and a second for an earthquake dated 31 A.D. (+/- 5 years). I refer to the latter layer as the Jerusalem earthquake of 33 A.D.
The Dead Sea earthquake layers are both prominent and easy to see in several locations. But how were mud layers deposited below the Dead Sea now visible above it? The reason is that the Dead Sea water level has dropped in the past 2000 years, leaving its ancient lake bottom deposits uncovered on its shores. Over time, water draining into lake carved deep gullies through the old layers. The gullies are deep enough to walk within; once inside a gully one can easily see the two prominent earthquake layers (both from 31 B.C. and 33 A.D.).
Geological subdisciplines known as sedimentology and seismology help to further tell the story. Due to the shape and thickness of the deposits we know that the 31 B.C. earthquake had a magnitude of about 8.0 while the earthquake of the crucifixion had an intensity of about 6.0. Sediment layers and inferences from the science of fluid dynamics reveal the intensity.
In addition to the remarkable amount of information we can glean from this event I am personally struck by the providence of the 6.0 magnitude of the event. Perhaps experiencing the Washington, D.C. earthquake of 2011 has given me an appreciation of this. Prior to 2011 I had long known, and taught, that geologists measure earthquakes in terms of both magnitude and intensity. The DC-area earthquake had a magnitude of 5.8 at its center, with intensity dropping at a distance. At my college we sensed a “Mercalli” intensity of about IV (a “IV” indicates minimal shaking in a building). I estimated this based on reports of students who were outdoors during the quake. If those outside could feel little to no ground movement we are close to a IV. When one can feel an earthquake outdoors this indicates a higher level of intensity (i.e., Mercalli V).
My point is this: if the Jerusalem earthquake of 33 A.D. was too small, it would not have been felt by people standing in an open field near the cross; if it were too large, the quake could have resulted in considerable destruction and loss of life in Jerusalem. Since the purpose of the cross was to demonstrate God’s salvation and mercy to the world, an earthquake that resulted in mass destruction would not be compatible with the message of the cross. Rather, the intensity was balance sufficiently to avoid destruction in the city while being strong enough to recognize in an open field. Interestingly, Austin suggests it was just strong enough to move the structural supports within the temple that resulted in the tearing of the curtain inside.
These discoveries make the providential power of God something to ponder in addition to God’s Easter message of atonement and salvation.
Faith and Reason-25 