WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Washington Monument On Firm Foundation, Even After Earthquake

By: Markette Smith // August 22, 2012
Play associated audio
comments
The earthquake cracked portions of the Washington Monument, as well as displacing some limestone blocks.
National Park Service
The earthquake cracked portions of the Washington Monument, as well as displacing some limestone blocks.

A new report released on the eve of the one year anniversary of last summer's 5.8 magnitude earthquake reveals that the Washington Monument still stands on solid ground, even after suffering millions of dollars of damages after the August temblor.

A new report from the National Geodetic Survey finds that the landmark did not sink further into the ground. The earthquake damaged both the exterior and interior of the Monument. The heaviest damage occurred near the top, where large cracks and rubble called for its immediate closure.

A lead inspector on the project, Dave Doyle, says he's surprised by the results, because the Monument has sunk more than 2 inches in the past hundred years. He calls it a testament to the original engineers from the 1880s, who shored up its foundation on ground that was once underwater.

Arts & Culture

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

Politics

NPR

Former IRS Head To Senate: It Wasn't My Fault

Douglas Shulman, who led the IRS during the years when agency workers targeted tax-exempt applications from conservative groups, did his best to deflect accusations from unhappy senators.

Technology

NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.