The Damaging Earthquake of 9 October 859 in Kairouan (Tunisia): Evidence from Historical and Archeoseismological Investigations

A devastating earthquake struck Kairouan, Tunisia, on October 9, 859, causing widespread destruction with macroseismic intensity reaching IX–X on the Medvedev–Sponhauer–Karnik scale. Historical accounts and modern archaeoseismic investigations, including laser scanning and radiocarbon dating of damaged features like the Great Mosque's dome and an aqueduct 20 km west of the city, reveal extensive damage across 13 villages. The seismic source is linked to the Sbiba east–west-trending transpressive fault system, characterized by late Quaternary thrust-related en echelon folds, confirming its seismogenic potential. This study integrates historical records with advanced field techniques to reconstruct the earthquake's impact and tectonic context.

Bahrouni, N., Meghraoui, M., Hinzen, K., Arfaoui, M., & Mahfoud, F. (2020). The Damaging Earthquake of 9 October 859 in Kairouan (Tunisia): Evidence from Historical and Archeoseismological Investigations. Seismological Research Letters, 91(3), 1890–1900. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220190258