HOW A STEEL BALL SHIELDED TAIWAN'S TALLEST SKYSCRAPER DURING EARTHQUAKE

Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101, survived a recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake with minimal damage. This is credited in part to its innovative design, which includes a giant pendulum, according to CNN. The large yellow pendulum at the building's centre helped absorb the shock.   Nicknamed "Damper Baby," the pendulum is a tuned mass damper, a 660-metric-tonne steel sphere suspended over 1,000 feet above the ground at the building's centre. During an earthquake or strong winds, the sphere sways to counteract the building's movement, reducing its sway by up to 40%, as per.   The pendulum hangs between the 87th and 92nd floors and is constructed from 41 steel layers. It's nearly 18 feet in diameter and swings within a limit of 59 inches to prevent excessive movement.               Taipei 101 was once the world's tallest building and remains a landmark skyscraper in Taiwan. The building's design demonstrates the use of innovative engineering to safeguard structures in earthquake-prone regions.