Unveiling the Causes Behind Arecibo Observatory's Collapse

A new report on the collapse of the Arecibo Telescope suggests that the failure of zinc spelter sockets, which anchored the support cables, was accelerated by a phenomenon called electroplasticity. This effect, potentially caused by electrical currents from the telescope's powerful transmitters, may have increased the plasticity of the zinc, leading to its deformation over time. The report also notes that the collapse might have been initiated by Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico 39 months prior. The findings highlight a unique failure mechanism possibly specific to Arecibo, warranting further investigation.