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JERUSALEM
Quakes threaten sacred sites
Jerusalem's walled Old City has a weak foundation, and a strong earthquake could smash sites sacred to Jews and Muslims, a geological survey shows.

BY JASON KEYSER
Associated Press

JERUSALEM - The Bible tells of earthquakes splitting open the hills of this holy city with apocalyptic fury, adding to the mayhem of battles and punctuating Jesus' crucifixion.

Now, a geological survey says the heart of biblical narrative, Jerusalem's walled Old City, would be among the worst hit parts of the city in the event of another earthquake because it rests on layers of debris, not solid rock.

A natural disaster in the Old City could also bring devastating political aftershocks because it is the fiery heart of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.