To investigate this phenomenon, a team of 16 engineers from the UK and Italy was founded. Until today, the response of the tower has proved the expectations wrong. Considering the sensitivity of the construction, a seismic event was expected to cause serious damage to the building. Nevertheless, the most significant hazard for the tower is the earthquakes that occur systematically in the region. Clay and sand formations alternate down to almost 70 meters while the foundation depth is less than 3 meters. The leaning of Pisa tower is a result deriving from the foundation soil. The differential subsidence of the ground lead to an offset of 5 meters at the top of the -58 meters height- tower. However, by the next 100 years the building had shifted to the south. Inclination to the north side was detected from the beginning of the project. The construction of the Tower began in 1173 and was completed in 1372. Despite the hazardous inclination of approximately five degrees, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (in Italy) has managed to survive four strong earthquakes since 1200 A.D.
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