Earthquakes were well known events in the world of the Bible story (Exod 19:18; 1 Sam 14:15; 1 Kings 19:11; Amos 1:1; Zech 14:5; Matt 27:54; 28:2; Acts 16:26). The Bible writers often refer to earthquakes as evidence of God’s mighty power (Judg 5:4; Ps 18:7; Isa 29:6; Joel 2:10; 3:16; Nahum 1:5; Hab 3:6; Matt 24:7; Rev 6:12; 8:5; 11:13; 16:18). God may have used earthquakes, along with other forces of nature, to bring about his judgments, even in cases where the Bible does not specifically mention an earthquake. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the stopping of the Jordan River at the time of Israel’s entrance into Canaan, and the collapse of the walls of Jericho may all have involved earthquake activity. These events occurred in the place and at the time God had earlier announced, showing that they had resulted from his direct intervention (Gen 19:12-14,24-28; Josh 3:7-8,13-17; 6:5,20).