Weak ankles could topple Michelangelo's 'David'

Researchers have forewarned that Michelangelo's David could topple as the celebrated marble sculpture's knees are weak.

The sculpture, housed at a museum in Florence, is about 17 feet tall and weighs over 12,000 lbs. avid has remained largely intact for more than 500 years, but tiny cracks in its ankles due to the poor quality marble used as well as its precarious pose could lead to its collapse.

Researchers have said that due to these structural problems, an earthquake or even vibrations from nearby construction could lead to the sculpture's collapse.

The study has been published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage.