Has a natural disaster ever ended a civilization?

Answer 1

Pompeii was a city. Other communities like the famous Herculaneum were also destroyed in the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius, but they were only a small portion of the greater Roman civilization at the time.

In the Mediterranean alone there is a rich history of natural disasters colliding with civilization, like the above example, the best I can think of - the Minoans. Many people believe the story of Atlantis mythologizes these people, who had a rich, thriving civilization based along the Mediterranean.

A massive eruption on Santorini (aka Thera) formed a large caldera, "sinking" a large portion of the island and destroying the settlements there, and it's believed a tsunami formed as a direct result of this disaster, striking the death blow to their coastal cities on Crete and nearby islands.

The same eruption may also have influenced the Israeli exodus from Egypt (some believe it caused many if not all of the "10 plagues") -- certainly Egypt, and other Mediterranean civilizations, were affected by the eruption as well. These events were not understood, and were a powerful and godly force to these people.

I've been to both Santorini and Crete (Knossos) to see the remains of the Minoan cities there... very cool.

Answer 2

Pompeii was a city, not a civilization.

However, it's quite possible that the Minoans (during the Old Palace Period) were in fact destroyed from the volcanic eruption and ensuing tsunamis from the island of Thera, which lay 75 miles to the north. It erupted sometime between 1600-1500 BC and destroyed the palace-sites on the coast of Crete. It's also possible that Thera is the original model for Atlantis (though more likely it was an invention by Plato, as Atlantis does not appear in other stories).

Did that guy really say 'dinosaurland'??? Please say that was a joke...

Answer 3

Indeed. Look at places in East Asia, such as the Dead Sea, that was once a place where life bloomed, but was destroyed by a disastrous event, which upsided the earth, due to certain reasons. Some faiths such as Christianity and Islam have this written in their testaments. Consider reading the "kitabs" or so theyre called. It wont do harm, and you might find it fun.

Answer 4

The abandonment of Greenland was definitely caused by natural events, even if it was a slow one. Climate shift used to be natural.

Do you count disease in the Americas as natural or man made? Man brought it, but didn't cause it. It did more than gunpowder to end civilizations.

Answer 5

The volcanic eruption of Santorini is believed to have ended the Minoan civilisation in Crete.

Answer 6

Some say Atlantis was Destroyed by a Earthquake\Tidal Wave
(If you beleive in Such things.)

Answer 7

Ummmmmmm
Ever Hear Of Atlantis?
The one Plato wrote about
Not the psychic Hotline one under the freakin Bermuda Triangle

Answer 8

Yes. Many times. Look at places like Pompeii.

Anthony Pittarelli

Answer 9

Sure. Look at New Orleans.

Answer 10

yup...pompeii....a few other tribes and folks along the way who weren't as well preserved, and i'm sure many we don't know about.....plus the myth of atlantis?