Pam Mills, age 13, of Baton Rouge, La., for her question:

WILL THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA FALL SOON?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy's famous bell tower, is considered to be one of the wonders of the modern world.

The tower tips so far to one side that it looks as if it will fall. Scientists say, however, that there is absolutely no immediate danger of the tower toppling.

The tower was begun in 1173. The ground under it started to sink after the first three stories were built and the tower then started to lean.

In the mid 1970s, the tower was about 14 feet out of line. Since measurements began on a yearly basis in 1918, the tower has increased its slant by an average of about one millimeter a year. Because of this small, yearly movement, scientists say there is no immediate danger to the tower.

The tower is 182 feet tall. The walls are 13 feet thick at the base and 6 to 7 feet thick at the top. An inner staircase of nearly 300 steps leads to the top.

Around the first story is a row of arches resting on 145 columns. Each of the next six stories is surrounded by 30 columns. The top story has 12 columns. This top story houses the bells.