[[{“type”:“media”,“view_mode”:“media_large”,“fid”:null,“attributes”:{“class”:“media-image alignright size-full wp-image-31910”,“typeof”:“foaf:Image”,“style”:“”,“width”:“100”,“height”:“100”,“title”:“”,“alt”:“WIRED”}}]]The massive ice wall in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones wouldn’t stand a chance in the real world, say Robert Hawley, assistant professor of earth sciences, and Mary Albert, professor of engineering at Thayer School of Engineering and executive director of the U.S. Ice Drilling Program Office.

“Even at very cold temperatures, large ice masses deform under their own weight,” Albert tells Wired.

The 700-foot fantasy world wall would eventually “flow” and deform over time under the pressure of its own weight, says Hawley. “Try making a post out of Silly Putty and leaving it for an hour, and you will get the picture.”

Read the full story, published 3/27/13 by Wired.