A retrofit is underway in Istanbul to protect the iconic domes atop Hagia Sophia from earthquake damage, the AP reports. The 1,500-year-old cultural icon currently in use as a mosque will have its lead main dome and half domes covered for a period of a year while their coverings are removed to perform renovations to enhance the structural framework underneath. The building will remain open during the still undetermined construction period. Most geologists consider the risk of a major seismic event occurring along the North Anatolian Fault within the next 30 years to be very high. Here's some more from our coverage on the difficulties of the Hagia Sophia's long-term conservation: Istanbul's conservators are scrambling to protect heritage sites from disasterMore damage reported at Hagia Sophia as conversion impacts growTurkey's spat with UNESCO over the Hagia Sophia just grew a little deeper