New evidence for the geological origins of the ancient Delphic oracle (Greece)

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2001 New evidence for the geological origins of the ancient Delphic oracle (Greece) J.Z. de Boer; J.Z. de Boer 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J.R. Hale; J.R. Hale 2Department of Anthropology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Chanton J. Chanton 3Department of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4320, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2001) 29 (8): 707–710. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0707:NEFTGO>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 27 Nov 2000 rev-recd: 16 Apr 2001 accepted: 25 Apr 2001 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J.Z. de Boer, J.R. Hale, J. Chanton; New evidence for the geological origins of the ancient Delphic oracle (Greece). Geology 2001;; 29 (8): 707–710. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0707:NEFTGO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Ancient tradition linked the Delphic oracle in Greece to specific geological phenomena, including a fissure in the bedrock, intoxicating gaseous emissions, and a spring. Despite testimony by ancient authors, many modern scholars have dismissed these traditional accounts as mistaken or fraudulent. This paper presents the results of an interdisciplinary study that has succeeded in locating young faults at the oracle site and has also identified the prophetic vapor as an emission of light hydrocarbon gases generated in the underlying strata of bituminous limestone. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.