The 1748 Montesa (southeast Spain) earthquake — A singular event

The Montesa earthquake of 23 March 1748 in southeast Spain caused heavy damage and was felt over a wide area. It occurred in a region considered of low seismic hazard where few large earthquakes have happened. The abundant contemporary documentation about the damage caused by the earthquake, especially to the castle of Montesa and the city of Játiva, allows a re-evaluation of the seismic intensity distribution giving a maximum intensity I=IX (EMS-1998). The focal parameters are estimated as: origin time 6h 30m local time, epicentre 39.00°N 0.64°W, and magnitude 6. The spatial distribution of ground acceleration derived from intensity values is modelled on a very shallow bilateral rupture of 10km length with strike 60°, dip 45°, and rake 90°. This source orientation agrees with the faults present in the area.