India Earthquake of 1341
The earthquake of 1341 is one of the earliest earthquakes recorded in the Indian sub-continent, sometimes referred to as 'the Malabar Coast Earthquake of AD 1341'. It occurred in what is now Kerala, India. Although the year 1341 is recorded in several documents, the exact date and time of the event is still not known. Whether it coincided with the Crimea earthquake of January 1, 1341 is also not known.
The earthquake of 1341 radically altered the geography of a large part of the southern coast of India, particularly that of the present day Kerala State. As a result of the tsunami and flood that followed the eathquake, the ancient port city of Muziris was submerged. The leading port in Kerala, viz. Cochin (Kochi) was formed following the event. Sea receded several kilometers down from the then port town of Kaduthuruthy which is now a hilly inland town. The banks of a large lake in the Western Ghats in Bhoothathankettu near Kothamangalam is believed to have given way, emptying the waters into the Periyar river. This caused a great flood in the river, which then changed its course.
The earthquake of 1341 radically altered the geography of a large part of the southern coast of India, particularly that of the present day Kerala State. As a result of the tsunami and flood that followed the eathquake, the ancient port city of Muziris was submerged. The leading port in Kerala, viz. Cochin (Kochi) was formed following the event. Sea receded several kilometers down from the then port town of Kaduthuruthy which is now a hilly inland town. The banks of a large lake in the Western Ghats in Bhoothathankettu near Kothamangalam is believed to have given way, emptying the waters into the Periyar river. This caused a great flood in the river, which then changed its course.
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