The pagoda has been damaged by earthquakes and other natural calamities over the centuries , and has been refurbished from time to time . A notable renovation was carried out by King Bayinnaung ( r. 1551 – 1581 ) during late 16th century . In the 1975 earthquake there was considerable damage to the spire and the dome necessitating large renovation . It is now substantially strengthened with covering of more than 30,000 copper plates , which were donated by local and international devotees ; gilding of the dome has been done during 1983 – 1984 and again in recent times . However , the pagoda 's bottom level terraces have remained mostly in their original form
1975 earthquake
1975 Bagan earthquake
Shwezigon Pagoda