This data publication includes the DESERVE Earthquake Catalogue of historical and recent earthquakes and the DESERVE Macroseismic Intensity Dataset. The DESERVE Earthquake Catalogue is a catalog of historical earthquakes in the region around the Dead Sea. It was compiled from several sources, including recent events (> Mw 3) for the region between 24.55° and 37.80° N and between 29.95° and 40.80° E. The catalogue includes events that occurred between the year 23 C.E. and 2014 C.E. and their magnitude was harmonized to moment magnitude. Details on how duplicates were removed, which magnitude conversions were applied, about the original data sources and the catalog completeness can be found in Haas et al. (2016). The DESERVE Macroseismic Intensity Data set consists of macroseismic intensity observations for historical earthquakes in the region around the Dead Sea. It was compiled from several sources, including seismic events (Mw 4.2 - 7.9) that occurred between the year 23 C.E. and 1995 C.E for the region between 23.78° and 41.01° N and between 24.81° and 50.16°. Details on the the original sources can be found in Haas et al. (2016). Both datasets are available in csv format and accompanied by explanatory files.

The Virtual Institute DEad SEa Research Venue DESERVE is a cross-disciplinary and cooperative international project of the Helmholtz Centers KIT, GFZ, and UFZ with well-established partners in the Dead Sea region. The region faces big natural challenges. Among them are sea level decline, desertification, flash floods, ascending brines polluting freshwater, sinkhole development, and the repeated occurrence of earthquakes. Climate change and extensive exploitation of groundwater and surface water even aggravate the situation. These challenges can be only mastered in an interdisciplinary research effort involving all neighbouring countries. DESERVE is offering the unique opportunity to integrate the scientific results already achieved or presently elaborated in the Dead Sea region into a joint scientific approach based on earth, water, and environmental sciences. DESERVE is aimed at studying coupled atmospheric, hydrological, and lithospheric processes, such as sinkholes, flash floods, and earthquakes. This interdisciplinary research approach will contribute to a sound scientific understanding of the ongoing processes. Furthermore, it enables the development of prediction models, remediation strategies, and risk assessments with respect to environmental risk, water availability, and climate change. DESERVE is funded by the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.