Archaeologists who recently discovered underwater remnants of the long-lost civilizations called Herakleion and Menouthis have asked geologists to help them determine why the cities crumbled into the sea. One disturbing possibility is a hidden fault line that may have triggered a massive earthquake. The scientists' findings could shed light on the dangers posed by hidden faults, both in Egypt and other areas where they may exist. Scientists discovered remains of two ancient Egyptian cities off the coast of Alexandria. Crushed skeletons and debris are all that remain of many of the once powerful civilizations.
Some archaeologists believe that warring factions caused the devastation.
Others are certain that natural disaster is to blame. In Alexandria on Egypt's north coast, rows of temple columns lie as if they had fallen in the same direction, hinting a seismic shift had occurred, some scientists conjecture. These findings document how people were confronted with natural disasters as long as 1,000 years ago. They are also valuable for modern times, since catastrophic subsidence, liquefaction and earthquakes still threaten densely populated coastal regions on Earth. The Franck Goddio Society sponsors search and excavation projects at underwater sites around the world.