Paleoseismological analyses along the Campo Imperatore normal fault (CIF) in the Gran Sasso massif, which is an area characterized by the absence of significant historical earthquakes, highlight the occurrence of surface faulting after the 5th--3rd cent. BC and around the 6th--5th millenium BC. These ages agree with those reported by Giraudi and Frezzotti <1995> on the western tip of the CIF, thus suggesting the possible entire rupture of the 30-km-long CIF during M~7 events. These data contribute to the re-evaluation of the seismic hazard of a large surrounding area, including the city of L'Aquila (~100.000 inhabitants), which is located 20 km from the CIF, in the hangingwall side.