<p>The myth of Kore-Persephone’s abduction by Hades, central to Greek religion, has long been viewed as an allegory of the seasonal cycle and agricultural fertility. This study reexamines the myth from a geological perspective, proposing that it may also encode memories of prehistoric co-seismic surface faulting events. Drawing on the <i>Homeric Hymn to Demeter</i> and other ancient sources, and integrating geological and archaeological evidence, we examine several sanctuaries claiming to preserve the abduction sites. While major cult centres such as Eleusis in Greece and Lake Pergusa in Sicily lack clear evidence of relationships with seismic faults, lesser-known sites, such as the Plutonium at Nysa and especially that at Hierapolis in Phrygia, lie atop active fault zones. These Anatolian sanctuaries feature gas emissions, chasms, and a histories of strong earthquakes, making them compelling candidates for inspiring narratives veiled in the mythical image of the earth “yawning open” to allow Hades to abduct Persephone. The article argues that the myth likely originated in a tectonically active region where dramatic geological phenomena were symbolically integrated into ancient religion, and later echoed in later paleo-Christian legends. This interdisciplinary approach enhances our understanding of myth formation by showing how some sacred landscapes may encode the collective memory of natural disasters, especially earthquakes, within mythology. Recovering this geological dimension also improves our knowledge of local seismic histories and may aid in a more accurate long-term seismic hazard assessment. Finally, it highlights the cultural relevance of specific geological features, underscoring their value as important geoheritage assets.</p>