On September 11, 2001, the world was shocked by the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The iconic Twin Towers, symbolizing the strength and power of the United States, were reduced to rubble in a matter of hours. However, a question that still lingers in the minds of many is: Which of the Twin Towers fell first?

1. Background

Before we delve into the mystery, let’s briefly recap the events of that fateful day. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was deliberately flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Just over 15 minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower, causing massive damage.

Both towers eventually collapsed, the North Tower coming down at 10:28 a.m. and the South Tower falling at 9:59 a.m. So, which one fell first?

2. The North Tower – First to Fall

The North Tower, also known as Tower 1, was the first to be struck by a plane, as mentioned earlier. With American Airlines Flight 11 crashing into it, the impact caused a massive explosion and extensive damage to the building’s structural integrity. The intense fire that followed weakened the steel beams, contributing to the tower’s eventual collapse.

3. The South Tower – Delayed Collapse

The South Tower, or Tower 2, was struck by United Airlines Flight 175 just minutes after the North Tower. The impact and resulting fire caused significant damage and compromised the tower’s structural integrity, similar to the North Tower. However, despite being hit after the North Tower, the South Tower collapsed first.

4. The Mystery Unraveled

The apparent contradiction between the sequence of impacts and collapses can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the South Tower was struck at a lower level compared to the North Tower. This meant that the planes’ impact with the South Tower caused greater damage to the building’s load-bearing columns, leading to a more rapid collapse.

Additionally, the South Tower’s structural design varied slightly from the North Tower. This variation may have contributed to its weakened ability to withstand the impact and subsequent fire. Other factors, such as asymmetrical distribution of fuel and damage, might also have played a role.

5. Conclusion

In answering the question of which of the Twin Towers fell first, we can confidently say that while the North Tower was the first to be struck and sustain damage, it was the South Tower that collapsed first. This apparent contradiction can be attributed to the complex combination of factors influencing the structural integrity of both towers.

Even though the exact sequence of events may seem puzzling, it is crucial to remember the tragic loss of life and the impact of the terrorist attacks on that day. Understanding the technical details of the collapses can help us learn from the past and work towards preventing such devastating events in the future.

  • References:
    • Source 1: [insert source here]
    • Source 2: [insert source here]
    • Source 3: [insert source here]
Quest'articolo è stato scritto a titolo esclusivamente informativo e di divulgazione. Per esso non è possibile garantire che sia esente da errori o inesattezze, per cui l’amministratore di questo Sito non assume alcuna responsabilità come indicato nelle note legali pubblicate in Termini e Condizioni
Quanto è stato utile questo articolo?
0Vota per primo questo articolo!