Ancient legends give an early warning of modern disasters

The new science of geomythology is being harnessed by researchers who believe folklore can save lives. by Robin McKie.
Sunday December 4, 2005, in <a href="http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1657262,00.html" target="new">The Observer</a>

On the banks of Siletz Bay in Lincoln City, Oregon, officials dedicated a memorial last week to one of America's worst calamities: a huge earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands of Native Americans 300 years ago.

But the memorial's main job is not to commemorate the disaster, which has only just come to light, but to warn local people that similar devastation could strike at any time.

The area sits over massive fault lines whose dangers have been highlighted by a startling new scientific discipline that combines Earth science studies and analysis of ancient legends. This is geomythology, and it is transforming our knowledge of earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, says the journal Science.

Full story at <a href="http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1657262,00.html" target="new">The Observer</a>.