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Yes, this is a map of Switzerland. The red circle is the approximate epicenter of the famed
St. Luke's earthquake of 1356. As St. Luke the Evangelist's day is October 18th (my
birthday) the event has a certain fascination - besides most likely being the most powerful
earthquake to strike central Europe in written history. However, there's considerable
doubt about the Richter strength of the event: estimates range from 6.0 to 7.2. There is
also no general agreement on which fault or faults were involved. In general, Switzerland
has about 10 minor earthquakes per year. Like France, it is likely less than one
earthquake in 1000 in the last millenium has exceeded Richter 6.0. Were France's
Fessenheim nuclear reactor not relatively close (50 km) and within easy range of a canal
that feeds the Rhine River, Basel's misfortunes 700 years ago might be of little interest.
St. Luke's earthquake of 1356. As St. Luke the Evangelist's day is October 18th (my
birthday) the event has a certain fascination - besides most likely being the most powerful
earthquake to strike central Europe in written history. However, there's considerable
doubt about the Richter strength of the event: estimates range from 6.0 to 7.2. There is
also no general agreement on which fault or faults were involved. In general, Switzerland
has about 10 minor earthquakes per year. Like France, it is likely less than one
earthquake in 1000 in the last millenium has exceeded Richter 6.0. Were France's
Fessenheim nuclear reactor not relatively close (50 km) and within easy range of a canal
that feeds the Rhine River, Basel's misfortunes 700 years ago might be of little interest.