Researchers test LAX's Theme Building for quake stability
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The earth literally moved - albeit gently - for 10 minutes on Tuesday when scholars and engineers tested the durability of the iconic Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, which is set to reopen next month.
A portable shaking machine nicknamed "Mighty Mouse" was mounted on the Theme Building's observation deck to simulate a magnitude-3.0 earthquake that gently jolted the structure and rattled workers preparing for the lunch
Researchers from UCLA's Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation conducted the test to ensure the landmark's recent seismic retrofit project would be able to withstand a much more powerful temblor.