The tower in northwestern Italy has managed to survive two world wars, millions of tourist visits and at least four strong earthquakes that have hit the region since 1280, according to. Professor George Mylonakis wanted to know why. How can something so obviously structurally unsound endure in an earthquake-prone region for hundreds of years? People who assemble an IKEA cabinet and have 18 pieces left over don’t expect to pass a wobbly Hemnes down to their great-grandchildren. The tower, during an earthquake, doesn’t shake as much as the earth beneath it, in defiance of gravity. (Tom Peterson/For the Washington Post) Partially constructed on unexpectedly soft soil, the ancient bell tower began to lean before it was even finished, a historical goof that went on to become one of the world’s historical oddities - and made the tower a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Leaning Tower of Pisa and its 5.5-degree lean has vexed engineers for centuries.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |