The 1258 Earthquake in Onteniente (Southeast Spain) Not Reported until 2002 in Any Catalog

Historical seismicity is particularly important for the southeast region of the Iberian Peninsula, where large earthquakes are separated by long periods of time. The study of medieval earthquakes presents special difficulties. In this study, we review the earth- quake of 1258 in the town of Onteniente, an event that was not present in regional catalogs of the Iberian Peninsula until 2002. Information about the earthquake is based on a contemporary letter by King James I of Aragon, who granted tax exemptions to the people of the town of Onteniente because of the damage.