Limiting earthquake damage

• Strict planning laws are needed in places that are prone to earthquakes as most people are killed by falling buildings.
• Planning permission should not be granted in fault zones or in places where liquefaction is likely to happen.
• Japan is an example of a country that has invested a lot of money in earthquake proof buildings.
• Flexible columns should be built to sway with the earthquake.
• There should be rollers in the foundation to allow the building to sway.
• There should be deeper foundations to stabalise the building.
• There should be crossbeams to give the building further support.
• There should be computer controlled weights on the roof to reduce movement.
• What frame should be around the building to give added support?

  A birdcage interlocking frame
• Fire resistant materials should be used.
• Automatic shutters should be on the windows to prevent falling glass.
• There should be Rubber shock absorbers in the foundations.
• There should be open spaces near large buildings where people can safely gather during an earthquake.
• There should be wide streets to allow easy access by emergency vehicles following an earthquake.
• Use hollow lighter blocks.
• Build low rise buildings.
• Securing all items to the walls.
• Using reinforced masonry walls can provide additional strength and stability to a building during an earthquake.
• Steel frames can help distribute seismic forces and prevent the collapse of buildings during earthquakes.
• Incorporating flexible joints in the building's structure allows it to sway with the earthquake and reduce damage.
• Fire-resistant materials should be used in building construction to minimize damage and prevent the spread of fires during earthquakes.
• Using base isolation systems can help reduce the transfer of seismic energy to a building during an earthquake.
• Using shock-absorbing materials in building foundations can help reduce the impact of seismic waves during an earthquake.
• Implementing strict building codes and regulations can ensure that structures are designed to withstand seismic forces and minimize damage.
• Implementing early warning systems can provide valuable seconds to minutes of advance notice before an earthquake strikes, allowing people to take cover and machinery to be shut down.
• Using flexible materials, such as rubber shock absorbers, in building foundations can help absorb and dissipate seismic energy, reducing the impact on the structure.
• Creating open spaces near large buildings where people can safely gather during an earthquake can help prevent overcrowding and facilitate evacuation.
• Building low-rise buildings can help reduce the risk of collapse during earthquakes.