page_title: 464 BC Sparta earthquake
section_title: Tectonic setting
hierarchical_section_title: 464 BC Sparta earthquake / Tectonic setting
caption_attribution_description: English: Seismicity in Greece 1990-2000 by magnitute and depth. Ελληνικά: Επίκεντρα και βάθη των σεισμών που έγιναν στον ελλαδικό χώρο, 1990-2000
context_page_description: The 464 BCE Sparta earthquake occurred along the Sparta fault in the year 464 BCE destroying much of what was Sparta and many other City-states in Ancient Greece. Historical sources suggest that the death toll may have been as high as 20,000, although modern scholars suggest that this figure is likely an exaggeration. The earthquake gave the helots an opportunity to revolt against the Spartans, and the Athenians were called to their aid. Their immediate dismissal upon arrival is said to have been a key event that lead up to the First Peloponnesian War.
context_section_description: Sparta was located on what is currently called the Hellenic Arc which is predisposed to large seismic activity due to the convergence and subduction of the African Plate beneath the Aegean Sea Plate. The convergent and subduction of these plates are also seen in the geographical landscape in present-day Greece with large mountain ranges as well as many islands and the lands drop off into the Mediterranean Sea. Seen in the image to the right, present day Greece still experiences seismic activity regularly however is usually much more mild than the one felt in the year 464 BCE.
caption: Seismicity around Greece between 1990-2000
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