Machu Picchu

[hazelm]

Why was Machu Picchu intentionally built on faults?  As were other cities, for very good reasons.

 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190923140814.htm

 

 

[exchemist]

Why was Machu Picchu intentionally built on faults?  As were other cities, for very good reasons.

 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190923140814.htm

Silly headline - as usual. The city was not intentionally built on faults.

 

The Incas had no idea what a fault is, and no knowledge they were building on them. As the article explains, they did build in locations with a good water supply, good drainage and a ready supply of fractured rocks for building material. In the Andes, these features happen to coincide in fault zones.

 

And that's it. No "Mysteries of the Ancients" woo needed here. :)

Edited September 25, 2019 by exchemist

[fahrquad]

Did you say Machu Pikachu?

 

[fahrquad]

They built on the tops of mountains to be nearer to their gods, they also built where there was water, and the tops of mountains are very good defensive positions.

 

Interestingly for anyone with a yen to travel to Machu Picchu, you will stop at Aguas Calientes, just below Machu Picchu the night before your visit. If you time your visit for a full moon, and dont mind a 1/2 hour hike through the forest by moon light. The Peruvians dont lock the gates to Machu Picchu and it is not guarded so you can wander in, and have the site to your self and a handful of Llamas. It is very atmospheric, well worth the stroll through the forest ! 

Is it safe to assume there are hot springs at Aguas Calientes?  If there are then that would explain a lot about the geology.

[fahrquad]

I guess the name is a hot give away, something to do with the Nazca plate, and Perus Volcanoes, a number of which are still active.

 

Along the lines of what I was thinking.

 

 

https://scitechdaily.com/images/Researchers-Find-a-Soft-Spot-in-a-Tectonic-Slab.jpg

 

Edited December 12, 2019 by fahrquad