June 1402 Earthquake: Corinth (Corinthia), Greece

1402, June, 38.11 N, 22.41 E, h =n, M=7.0, Xylocastro (IX). Information for this destructive earthquake is given in a letter of Z. Contarini sent on 30 August 1402 to his cousin D. Soranzo in Damascos (Evagelatou-Notara, 1986). This letter refers to a report of the Captain of the Gulf which is based on information of eyewitnesses. The earthquake destroyed the fortress and the area of Vostitsa (Aeghio) in their most parts. The fortress and the village Diakofto and. the mountain where they are built, were entirely destroyed and the passages were blocked. The fortress Zachole(today Evrostine), built on the top of a very high mountain, collapsed and the mountain opened into four parts. The entire fortress Xylocastro as well as the mountain where it is built were destroyed and several persons were killed. Simultaneously, a very high sea wave was generated, entered the land and destroyed the country. When the sea waterbacked out, fishes remained on land. The flow of the springs from Patra to Corinth increased. The earthquake hit also the opposite coast of Steraea Hellas where the sea wave was more intense and swept over the cereals which were reaped by natives who took off on a hill to be saved. Vitrinitsa (today Tolophon site near the harbor of Eratine) and Salona (Amphissa) were also damaged. In Salona, sorne ramparts of the fortress were destroyed. More than 50 houses, the sprouting of a mountain, vineyards and other cultivations were burnt down, and all animals which were in the country were killed (obviously by the fire caused by the earthquake). Evagelatou-Notara (1986), who studied the effects of the earthquake on the basis of the letter of Contarini, thinks that June is the month of occurrence of this shock. Muratori (1745) also mentions this destructive earthquake (Ambraseys, 1988a). (reference #4408)

1402 <Aug 30 Vostiza. A violent earthquake and sea wave occurred in the Gulf of Corinth. The castles of Vostiza (Aigio) and Diakofto were destroyed, and the surrounding region was also heavily damaged. (reference #9116)