Posted on 05/13/2020 9:37:20 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The sinkhole, located in the Piazza della Rotonda, is almost 10 square feet (1 square meter) big and just over 8 feet (2.5 m) deep. Inside the hole, archaeologists found seven ancient slabs made of travertine, a type of sedimentary rock.
Luckily, no one was hurt when the sinkhole collapsed on the afternoon of April 27, because the normally crowded piazza was empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sinkholes like this one, however, are becoming an increasingly common problem in Rome.
The stones uncovered by the sinkhole were created around the same time that the Pantheon was built, from 27 B.C. to 25 B.C., according to Daniela Porro, Rome special superintendent. They were designed by Marcus Agrippa, a friend of Emperor Augustus, Porro told Italian news agency ANSA. However, the Pantheon and the piazza were completely rebuilt sometime between A.D. 118 and 128 by the emperor Hadrian, and the area was further modified at the beginning of the third century by the emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
Rome sits on soft, sandy soil that is easily eroded by water and shaken by the vibrations of cars and scooters, The Local reported.
The city's leaders announced a multi-million-euro plan to fix its streets in 2018, but progress has been slow, according to The Local. Until these upgrades are made, sinkholes may continue to reveal ancient architecture and artifacts, such as these paving stones.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Rome sits on soft, sandy soil that is easily eroded by water and shaken by the vibrations of cars and scooters, The Local reported.
You know, I had a sinkhole and misplaced it somewhere, this must be where it went. Thanks for the pings TN and P2.
The Pantheon was and remains the largest non-reinforced concrete dome in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travertine
Neither of us can get away from Real Life right now.
I wonder if it’s near Campi Flegrei.
Travertine is a variety of Marble, right? And isn't Marble a metamorphosed limestone?
My last geology course was in 1972...
My last geology course was in 1972...
And referencing rfp1234, looks like I didn't retain it all.
The terraces in Yellowstone are spectacular.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
