Why a four-tonne steel ball in Germany survived two world wars
In short: In Göttingen, Germany, a massive steel ball is dropped from a 14-metre tower to generate controlled, artificial earthquakes. This video explores the mechanics of this unusual scientific tool and reveals the clever historical deception that saved it from being repurposed for weaponry.
The four-tonne steel ball functions by being hoisted up a 14-metre tower and dropped, creating seismic vibrations upon impact. The force is significant enough that the ground briefly steams after the collision, and the ball consistently digs a new hole in the earth, requiring the observatory team to level the pit annually. Researchers jokingly suggest that this repeated compression might be creating a slowly growing hill on the opposite side of the planet.
Remarkably, the ball survived two world wars. While many metal objects were seized and melted down for military use, this artifact was preserved because university records classified it as a 'rock-ball' rather than a 'steel ball,' effectively hiding its true composition from authorities.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Making artificial earthquakes with a huge steel ball
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