123Dunhuang Mogao Caves

123Dunhuang Mogao Caves

Located beneath the Mingsha Mountains in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, the Mogao Caves are a testament to ancient Chinese Buddhist art and are home to spectacular murals and sculptures. However, these millennia-old cultural treasures are threatened by climate change. Rising temperatures are accelerating the degradation of the exquisite murals, while weather extremes such as heavy rainfall and sandstorms jeopardize the structural integrity of the grottoes. Increased humidity caused by rainfall threatens the preservation of works of art, while sandstorms can cause physical damage to external structures. In addition, climate change-induced water stresses may disrupt the grotto's groundwater system, which is critical to maintaining stable humidity and temperature conditions inside the grotto, posing a significant risk to the long-term preservation of these valuable artistic and historical artifacts.

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31 December 2013, 12:30:18

Yuwei Ai

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Located beneath the Mingsha Mountains in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, the Mogao Caves are a testament to ancient Chinese Buddhist art and are home to spectacular murals and sculptures. However, these millennia-old cultural treasures are threatened by climate change. Rising temperatures are accelerating the degradation of the exquisite murals, while weather extremes such as heavy rainfall and sandstorms jeopardize the structural integrity of the grottoes. Increased humidity caused by rainfall threatens the preservation of works of art, while sandstorms can cause physical damage to external structures. In addition, climate change-induced water stresses may disrupt the grotto's groundwater system, which is critical to maintaining stable humidity and temperature conditions inside the grotto, posing a significant risk to the long-term preservation of these valuable artistic and historical artifacts.