Last week, we reported on the catastrophic failure of a 33.5 ton aquarium installed in a popular Shanghai shopping mall; The main 21 x 3 meter viewing panel was installed facing the outdoor walkway of the Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world.  The aquarium contained sharks, sea turtles, and other marine life.

On December 18, 2012, the acrylic glass panel unexpectedly blew out, injuring 16 people and killing all the livestock.  Chinese investigators now believe the acrylic glass was compromised after two years of exposure to sunlight/UV and seasonal temperature changes, including very cold weather.

I have to say: It’s absolutely mind-boggling that no one considered thermal and UV exposure when planning and constructing this massive aquarium.