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Name: hasinoff 
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Question:
I have a student who is doing a project on underwater cities. What are the most important technical problems presented by such an environment? Do you have any suggestions for resources on this topic?


Replies:
Well, the single most important problem faced by engineers of underwater cities is... well, the WATER. The cities would have to be built on stable geological zones (fewer earthquakes mean fewer headaches) and these only exist in mid ocean, so your depths and therefore your pressures will be great. Also, down on the sea floor, there are few ways to efficiently generate power. And where are you going to get both materials and designs for a complex that big which can withstand those kinds of pressures? (getting back to my original point.) Anybody have anything to add?

--WORDSWORTH


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