Inspired by this thread When do we put Reagan on Rushmore? in Great Debates, but without any political content. Any geologists out there? Would it be possible to alter Mt. Rushmore, either adding a face or substantially changing one of the four present without causing the monuments collapse?
An article on the subject, from Reagan’s 90th birthday.
The geologists are mainly worried about whether it’s stable as-is. Adding another does not fit well into that line of thought.
Probably not. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum originally planned to put Jefferson to the right of Washington, but the granite proved to be of such poor quality, he was obliged to move him to George’s left. I also recall reading that one of the faces required 40 feet of rock to be removed before good quality granite was uncovered.