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Scientific Research Reveals Evidence of Earthquake During Jesus' Crucifixion

Published February 28, 2026, 09:18
Scientific Research Reveals Evidence of Earthquake During Jesus' Crucifixion

A ten-year geological study supports the claim that it has found evidence of seismic activity coinciding with the crucifixion of Jesus, as described in the Gospel of Matthew. The research focused on sediment layers near the Dead Sea, where traces of two significant earthquakes were identified. The first earthquake is estimated to have occurred around 31 BC, while the second, smaller in magnitude, between 26 and 36 AD. This second period coincides with the period of the Crucifixion, as described in the Gospel, and with the time when Pontius Pilate was prefect of Judea. Researchers studied sediment cores from the Dead Sea, analyzing the layers that record the annual deposition of material. Deformations in the layers indicate seismic vibrations, while the analysis of the sediments also showed climate change, such as drought, which is confirmed by historical sources, such as the works of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. The Dead Sea region is known for its intense seismic activity, as it lies on the Dead Sea Transform fault, where the Arabian and Sinai tectonic plates meet. This research offers a new perspective on understanding the geological events that occurred in the region in antiquity and their connection to historical accounts.