Scientists have named the reason for the stability of the pyramid of Cheops to earthquakes

An international group of geophysicists has established why the pyramid of Cheops has withstood thousands of years of seismic activity with virtually no damage. The key role is played by the difference in the oscillation frequencies of the building and the surrounding soil, the shape of the structure and the design of the unloading chambers above the tomb of the pharaoh. This was reported on May 21 in the journal Science News.

In order not to damage the monument, scientists have abandoned artificial sources of vibrations. Instead, they installed highly sensitive accelerometers at 37 points inside and around the pyramid and recorded background fluctuations caused by ocean waves, traffic, and human economic activity.

At about three quarters of the points inside the structure, the pyramid naturally fluctuated with a frequency of 2 to 2.6 Hz. The narrow range of values indicates an even distribution of the load throughout the structure. At the same time, the surrounding soil vibrated much more slowly — about 0.6 Hz.

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It is this difference that prevents resonance: the pyramid does not absorb the energy of seismic vibrations of the soil, which would dramatically reduce its stability. This effect is comparable to the principle of seismic insulation in modern construction, only implemented without any technology in the usual sense of the word. Additional protection is provided by unloading chambers erected above the Pharaoh's burial chamber to distribute the enormous weight of the building. As the measurements showed, they dampen the fluctuations as you move towards the top.

Like an inverted pendulum, most buildings swing more strongly at the top. In the pyramid, the amplitude of vibrations in the burial chamber increases four times, but in the unloading chambers located above it is already only three times. The mechanism providing this effect has yet to be studied.

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