Earthquakes​—Does God Cause Them?

“Firm ground becomes like jelly under your feet. You take three or four steps forward and you are yanked back like being on a carpet ride. You fall down and find it difficult to get up because you are being pulled in every direction. Trees whip, their tops touching the ground​—first one side, then the other—​some splitting into two. You try the road for escape; it moves as a snake twisting before you. On the ground​—everywhere—​you see crevices opening and snapping shut again. Terror grips you. There is no safe place. You think: ‘It’s the end of the world!’”​—Sarah Burn Plunkett, 1964 Alaskan earthquake survivor.

HAVE you experienced the shuddering of an earthquake? Even if you have not, earthquakes affect your life. How? In at least two ways. First, they indicate that, regardless of where you live, the very ground beneath you is in constant motion. Second, and, more importantly, modern earthquakes are symptomatic of “the end” of this global “system of things.” In this connection a famous prophecy states: “And there will be great earthquakes.” (Luke 21:9-11; Matthew 24:3-8) The Bible predicted that literal earthquakes would be part of a “sign” pointing to the time when God’s heavenly Kingdom would end evil and establish a peaceful Paradise on earth. (Psalm 37:10, 11; Matthew 6:10) This may prompt some to ask: “Is God responsible for those earthquakes?”

Earthquakes in Bible Times

Are all earthquakes caused by God? In brief​—No! Earthquakes are a natural process of the earth, just as wind or raindrops are. Tremors have been rippling through the earth for aeons. On the average, the earth experiences one tremor every 30 seconds.

In a few specific cases earthquakes have been initiated by Jehovah God. For what reason? These earthquakes served a definite purpose and were selective in destruction​—never freakish. Consider these examples:

Twenty-four centuries ago, during the inauguration of one of God’s covenants, the people of Israel assembled at the base of Mount Sinai and “the whole mountain was trembling very much.” As one demonstration of his unmatchable power, Jehovah thus used an earthquake to stress the seriousness of the covenant. The trembling of the mountain also served as a memory aid for the Israelites. They would not easily forget their pledge, for Jehovah linked this important agreement with awe-inspiring events that included an earthquake.​—Exodus 19:7-19.

Another earthquake occurred a short time later. Rebellion against Jehovah’s appointed leader developed among the households of Dathan, Abiram and Korah. After ample counsel was given and ignored, Jehovah used an earthquake to rid his people of these rebels. “The ground that was under them began to split apart. And the earth proceeded to open its mouth and to swallow up them and their households and all humankind that belonged to Korah and all the goods.”​—Numbers 16:31, 32.

However, God has not been the cause of modern-day earthquakes. Why, then, does the Bible include them as part of the sign of “the end”? And are we really living at “the conclusion of the system of things”?

Earthquakes​—A Sign of the End?

ALONE with Jesus on a high hill, surrounded by gnarled olive trees and with the city of Jerusalem below, four men were puzzled. Earlier that day they had heard their Leader, Jesus Christ, predict that Jerusalem and its temple would be destroyed with ‘no stone left upon a stone.’ Surprised, they asked: “When will these things be?” Jesus’ answer keenly interested them. But his answer should be of greater interest today.​—Matthew 24:1-3.

Of immediate concern to the apostles was the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Yet their curiosity did not stop with that one question, for they also wanted to know the time of Jesus’ future presence in Kingdom glory and when to expect the end of an evil order. They asked: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” The answer Jesus gave satisfied his first-century followers. His answer about “the sign” can also satisfy his modern-day followers who long to see wickedness end, for the sign’s fulfillment is in our day.

The sign Jesus gave has obvious features, easily noticed everywhere. These are not obscure or abstract. Note part of Jesus’ answer at Matthew 24:7: “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.” When wars strike, nations know it. When people are hungry​—starving—​they know it. And when an earthquake shakes the ground under your feet, you know it, because an earthquake is one of the most awesome natural events that can be experienced. These and other highly visible features, all afflicting mankind within one generation, compose “the sign.” (Matthew 24:3, 34) Let us examine just one part of this “sign”​—earthquakes.

Earthquakes​—What Did Jesus Mean?

Jesus was not a seismologist. He was a preacher and teacher, also a prophet. While “full of holy spirit” and under the direction of this invisible active force from Jehovah, Jesus prophesied concerning earthquakes and other features of “the sign.”​—Luke 4:1; John 8:28.

Was there a first-century fulfillment of Jesus’ words? Yes. Biblical and secular history record a great number of earthquakes between the year of his prophecy, 33 C.E., and the devastation of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Two earth tremors shook Jerusalem within days of Jesus’ prophecy. (Matthew 27:51; 28:2) Seventeen years later an earthquake occurred in the city of Philippi, as Bible writer Luke noted. (Acts 16:26) In addition, non-Biblical historians point to at least six major earthquakes in that part of the earth during that period. (See Chart I.)

What made earthquakes special in the first century? And was the report of an earthquake unusual news to first-century Christians? Answering those questions can help us understand the significance of earthquakes in our day.

Since the earth’s crust around the Mediterranean, including Jerusalem, lies in a moderately active earthquake zone, and therefore would suffer from crustal instability, earth tremors would not be uncommon to first-century inhabitants of the area. For example, the Great Rift Valley of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea and the transverse faults that form the Plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel) between Galilee and Samaria were associated with earthquakes even before the first century.​—Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5.

Earthquakes in themselves would not give any special significance to Jesus’ prophetic “sign” of Jerusalem’s approaching end, any more than a high fever would give indication of a specific illness without other symptoms being present. Therefore, what added special meaning to Jesus’ prediction of earthquakes was that they occurred in combination with all the other features of “the sign.” And it was this composite “sign” of predicted events that first-century Christians witnessed and to which they responded.

Modern-Day Earthquakes

Does Jesus’ prediction of earthquakes find a fulfillment in the 20th century? In other words, have there been great earthquakes that indicate we are living at “the conclusion of the system of things”? Facts prove that this century is being rocked by earthquakes. The earth experiences more than 1,000,000 per year, with 1,000 of them being damaging shocks.

Some seismologists believe that the earth is now in an active earthquake period. For example, Professor Keiiti Aki of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology speaks of “the apparent surge in intensity and frequency of major earthquakes during the last one hundred years,” though stating that the period from 1500 through 1700 was as active.

In the Italian journal Il Piccolo, of October 8, 1978, Geo Malagoli observed:

“Our generation lives in a dangerous period of high seismic activity, as statistics show. In fact, during a period of 1,059 years (from 856 to 1914) reliable sources list only 24 major earthquakes causing 1,973,000 deaths. However, [in] recent disasters, we find that 1,600,000 persons have died in only 63 years, as a result of 43 earthquakes which occurred from 1915 to 1978. This dramatic increase further goes to emphasize another accepted fact​—our generation is an unfortunate one in many ways.”

Jesus prophesied that “the conclusion of the system of things” would be marked by “earthquakes in one place after another,” and, according to Luke’s account, “great earthquakes.” (Matthew 24:3, 7; Luke 21:11) Has the generation that was living in 1914, and of which there are still many survivors, witnessed these things? The facts answer, Yes! (See Chart II.) And earthquakes are still being witnessed not only by remaining ones of that generation but by the largest number of people in history. (Matthew 24:34) Mankind today is also more aware of the global activity of earthquakes and their effects than were people in any past century.

What is it that would make an earthquake “great”? Its intensity, or magnitude, as measured by the Mercalli or Richter scale? Or, rather, would it not be its notoriety and the amount of destruction it caused? As the accompanying Chart III indicates, loss of human life due to earthquakes has mushroomed since 1914. And some of them with the greatest magnitude have been deep within oceans, known only to a few, with little if any effect on human property or life. In determining the modern fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy, we should focus not merely on the magnitude of quakes according to the Richter or other such scale but on the extent of resultant property damage and loss of human life.

Clearly Part of “the Sign”

Europe magazine of July–August 1980 states: “In this century, earthquakes have cost the lives of some 1,600,000 people, with 120,000 dead in Europe alone.” So when we view the world scene and compare it with Jesus’ words we can agree that “earthquakes in one place after another” and even “great earthquakes” have been taking place. Has any single generation of the past experienced such grim destruction by earthquakes as that afflicting mankind since 1914? Statistics indicate none.

However, some will say: “That is because we have more people on earth.” True, mankind has multiplied, but this does not nullify Jesus’ prophecy. Rather, it adds more force to it, giving us all the more reason to heed his words. Why? Because 2,000,000,000 people, about half the world’s population, live in areas threatened by earthquakes. In addition, rapid communication and sophisticated seismographs have been keeping people posted on earthquakes as never before, even those who have never experienced the force of a tremor firsthand. Hence, earthquakes affect more persons and are conspicuous to more people today than ever before. And as they see other features of “the sign” being fulfilled on the one generation, this should move them to action. In this way, who can be excused from failing to heed “the sign of [Jesus’] presence and the conclusion of the system of things”?

Have you noticed that the impact of earthquakes on human lives has increased since 1914? And in combination therewith, have you observed the other features of “the sign,” such as war, famine and increased lawlessness? If so, you are no doubt desirous of finding out more about what Jesus predicted for the immediate future. Jehovah’s Witnesses are pleased to help you examine these important matters.

[Chart on page 6]

Chart I

Some Earthquakes Between 33-70 C.E.

YEAR LOCATION

33 Jerusalem

33 Jerusalem

c. 46 Crete

c. 50 Philippi

51 Rome

53 Apam æa

60 Laodicea

63 Pompeii

c. 67 Jerusalem

[Chart on page 7]

Chart II

Some Major Earthquakes Between 1914 and 1982

(Incomplete list)

YEAR LOCATION DEATHS

1915 Avezzano, Italy 29,970

1920 Kansu, China 200,000

1923 Kanto, Japan 142,800

1932 Kansu, China 70,000

1934 Bihar-Nepal, India 10,700

1935 Quetta, Pakistan 60,000

1939 Chillan, Chile 30,000

1939 Erzincan, Turkey 30,000

1950 Assam, India 20,000

1960 Agadir, Morocco 12,000

1962 Northwestern Iran 12,230

1968 Northeastern Iran 11,500

1970 Northern Peru 66,700

1972 Managua, Nicaragua 10,000

1976 Guatemala City, Guatemala 23,000

1976 Tangshan, China 800,000

1978 Northeastern Iran 25,000

Other major earthquakes were recorded in some 33 places

[Chart on page 7]

Chart III

Earthquake Deaths

(Estimation based on 1,122 years)

Up to 1914​—1,800 a year

Since 1914​—25,300 a year

[Map on page 5]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Earthquake belts of the world

AFRICA

EUROPE

ASIA

NORTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA

AUSTRALIA