An article in Science suggested that the construction and filling of the Zipingpu Dam may have triggered the earthquake. The chief engineer of the Sichuan Geology and Mineral Bureau said that the sudden shift of a huge quantity of water into the region could have relaxed the tension between the two sides of the fault, allowing them to move apart, and could have increased the direct pressure on it, causing a violent rupture. The effect was "25 times more" than a year's worth of natural stress from tectonic movement. The government had disregarded warnings about so many large-scale dam projects in a seismically active area. Researchers have been denied access to seismological and geological data to examine the cause of the quake further. COUNT 6
QSN1 What was concluded about the construction? ANS1 that the sudden shift of a huge quantity of water into the region could have relaxed the tension between the two sides of the fault, allowing them to move apart, and could have increased the direct pressure on it, causing a violent rupture QSN2 What structure did an article contemplate could have caused the quake? ANS2 Zipingpu Dam QSN3 What was the affect of the dam on the stresses in that area? ANS3 25 times more QSN4 Who disregarded warnings about dams in the area? ANS4 The government QSN5 What type of area is Sichuan? ANS5 seismically active QSN6 What have researchers been denied? ANS6 access to seismological and geological data