LIFESTYLE / Model Thëngjille Kaushi conquers the pages of the agri-food press

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Why don't the Egyptian pyramids collapse in earthquakes? Scientists reveal 4,600-year-old secret

2026-05-24 20:37:02Histori SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Pyramid of Giza

The pyramids of Egypt have stood the test of time for more than 4,600 years, surviving wars, storms and powerful earthquakes. Now, a study published in the journal Scientific Reports sheds light on the secret of their durability.

The way it is built prevents ground vibrations from being amplified within the structure. Scientists analyzed the Great Pyramid of Giza, the monumental tomb of Pharaoh Cheops, and discovered that it was designed in such a way as to “absorb” or dampen seismic vibrations.

This may explain why the monument has remained almost intact even after the strong earthquakes that have struck Egypt over the centuries. One of the most famous examples is the earthquake of August 7, 1847, with its epicenter in the Fayum region, about 100 kilometers south of Cairo.

Historical records show that dozens of people were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed, while the pyramids remained standing. According to researcher Mohamed ElGabry of the Egyptian National Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, some outer stones were broken off, but the main structure did not suffer serious damage.

The pyramid shape has always been one of the main reasons for its stability. The wide base and concentrated weight at the bottom make the structure more stable. However, researchers discovered that the secret lies not only in the shape.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built of about 2.3 million stone blocks, behaves like a single compact body. To reach this conclusion, the team used the HVSR seismic method, also known as the Nakamura method, measuring natural vibrations at about 30 different points inside the pyramid.

The results showed that the entire structure vibrates at almost the same frequency, around 2.3 hertz. This uniformity means there are no weak areas where cracks could form during an earthquake.

Another important discovery was that the ground around the pyramid vibrates at a much lower frequency, around 0.6 hertz. It is this change that prevents the phenomenon of resonance, which could amplify the vibrations and cause collapse.

Experts explain that resonance works like a baby swing: if it is pushed at the right pace, the vibrations become stronger and stronger. In the case of the pyramid, its frequency does not match that of the earth, so the seismic energy is not multiplied.

Researchers believe that the material on which the pyramids were built also played a crucial role. The rock platform of hard limestone creates an incredibly stable foundation for the gigantic structures.

Today, modern engineers build flexible skyscrapers that sway during earthquakes to avoid collapse. Meanwhile, the pyramids are incredibly rigid. And it is this rigidity, combined with the ingenious design of the ancient Egyptians, that seems to be why they continue to defy time and nature.


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×