Kevin Krajick's article "Tracing Myth into Geological Reality" was published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2005. This article examines how many myths there may be linked to geological evidence. Geologists have studied how ancient geological phenomena can shed light on the origins of many myths. Scientists have even discovered evidence that could serve as inspiration for biblical stories. Many hope that understanding these myths and the geological phenomenon they describe will reveal important information about natural disasters such as: tsunamis, floods, and volcanic eruptions. It is hoped that this information can save lives in the future. With all these new discoveries it's important to remember that it's easy to go too far. Myth cannot explain all geological phenomena and vice versa. It is vital to ensure that scientific integrity remains at the heart of the connection between myth and geology. It is important for people to learn from history. It has recently become apparent that folk myths and traditions can be an important part of history to consider. Convincing geological evidence has been discovered linking important geological phenomena with the myths of that region. In the Pacific Northwest there are legends of a boulder haunted by A'yahos, a spirit that can turn a person to stone and shake the earth. Geophysical images from the 1990s showed that there is a hidden fault running through Seattle that would have caused earthquakes. The myth may also be able to help understand the repetition of geological events. Just like the people of the Pacific Northwest, the Norse also had a way to explain recurring earthquakes. They believed that Loki's evil power was so immense... middle of paper... records have shown that many mythological tales describe large-scale natural disasters. It turns out that these legends may have been the ancients' way of describing geological phenomena that they didn't fully understand. This can be seen as a myth like that of A'yahos and Loki which would cause earthquakes. This new research leads to new questions. How often are myths connected to geological phenomena? How will these new discoveries change the way people view/evaluate mythological stories? Linking the myth to the geological phenomenon will lead people to see the myth as a record of past events. The myth will no longer be classified as a simple story. They will have first-hand knowledge of the real world. Work Cited Krajick, Kevin. “Tracing Myth and Geological Reality.” American Association for the Advancement of Science. 310.5749 (2005): 762. Print. .
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