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In the wake of the Syria and Turkey earthquake ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and JOEL HELLEWELL look at alternative building technologies that stood the test of time
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE: (L to R) The longest Rangthylliang living root bridge is over 50 metres; A root bridge being grown in Rangthylliang’s East Khasi Hills using a wood and bamboo scaffold [(L to R) Anselmrogers/CC Elbowmacaroni/CC]

MATERIALS can behave in strange and complicated ways we don’t understand. Nothing could make that clearer than the tragic and horrifying loss of life in the earthquakes last week that killed tens of thousands of people across southern Turkey and northern Syria.

The largest earthquake in Turkey since 1939 flattened cities across the region. The final death toll is predicted to be more than 50,000. Even the ground itself, and the hard bedrock that makes it up, has vast and complex networks of tension.

Earthquakes are incredibly difficult to predict, although doing this would allow for mass evacuations that could save thousands of lives.

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