Abstract
Unlike some other natural disasters such as droughts, floods, or hurricanes, earthquakes are selectively destructive to humans. Other life forms are relatively immune to earthquake damage. As we learn to diagnose and prevent earthquake disasters we may begin to reflect on the impending demise of earthquake hazard. What will happen when human societies will be as little affected by this hazard as social insects are today--a modest goal, considering our relative technological superiority over ants or bees? In the next few decades, fundamental advances in structural design and building technology are likely to reverse the current trend toward increased vulnerability of structures to earthquakes, which has been attributed to changes in land use since the 1950's related to urbanization. Recent seismic disasters in Mexico City, the San Francisco Bay area, and Kobe were clearly related to soft ground conditions. Thus one key advance in the control for seismic disasters will...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
