Holy men who met their unholy ends
Earthquakes strike without warning, but how nations prepare can mean the difference between resilience and catastrophe. Around the world, some countries lead with cutting-edge engineering, strict building codes, and early warning systems. Others remain dangerously exposed, where poor infrastructure and weak planning amplify devastation.
From Tokyo's smart skyscrapers to Haiti's vulnerable housing, click on for a global look at seismic readiness and risk.
Some countries reside on Earth's most active seismic terrain, sitting atop regions where tectonic plates interact, leading to devastating earthquakes. These areas are at the forefront of seismic danger.
Japan sits at the crossroads of four tectonic plates. Earthquake drills are mandatory, and its infrastructure is engineered to withstand seismic forces. Tokyo’s skyscrapers use shock absorbers that reduce earthquake impact by up to 80%.
Indonesia is the world's most seismically active country, with frequent volcanic eruptions and devastating tsunamis. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake killed over 230,000 people, highlighting the country's vulnerability to seismic events.
The Ring of Fire is a vast arc of seismic activity, stretching from Chile to New Zealand. It holds 75% of Earth's volcanoes and accounts for 90% of the world’s earthquakes, influencing global geopolitics.
Turkey, located along the Anatolian Fault, faces constant earthquake threats. The 2023 earthquake killed over 50,000 people, underscoring the need for stricter building codes, though informal construction remains a risk.
Chile is renowned for its rigorous seismic engineering, especially after experiencing numerous major quakes. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the most powerful ever recorded, led the country to develop one of the world's strongest building codes.
In Santiago, buildings are designed to sway during quakes, a feature that reduces collapse risks. These high-rise buildings' controlled movement is essential in preventing destruction during powerful tremors.
While Thailand lies on the Ring's periphery, it was hit by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in 2024. This event showed that even countries outside major fault zones are at risk of seismic activity.
In February 2025, Myanmar experienced a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. The shockwaves rattled neighboring Thailand and were felt as far as Bangkok, prompting regional countries to review emergency plans and update building codes.
The interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates contributes to seismic activity in Southeast Asia. This area is producing more earthquakes than expected, as evidenced by recent quakes in Myanmar and Thailand.
Nepal's 2015 earthquake killed over 9,000 people due to non-reinforced masonry and weak infrastructure. Poor building standards and slow retrofitting efforts left the country ill-prepared for such a catastrophic event.
Iran is located on a major seismic belt, with frequent quakes. Many homes are constructed using unreinforced mud bricks, which offer little resistance to earthquakes, contributing to heavy casualties during tremors.
Haiti's 2010 earthquake killed over 230,000 people, largely due to poorly constructed buildings and lack of preparedness. The country's dense urban areas and fragile infrastructure left it highly vulnerable to seismic disasters.
Over 80% of earthquake-related deaths in the last 30 years occurred in developing nations. Inadequate infrastructure, lack of disaster preparedness, and weak enforcement of building codes contribute significantly to the high death toll.
New Zealand stands out for its stringent seismic assessments and regular building inspections. The country's "building warrant of fitness" program ensures that all public buildings are prepared for powerful earthquakes, promoting resilience across the nation.
California enforces some of the strictest earthquake safety regulations in the world. In San Francisco, mandatory seismic retrofitting for soft-story buildings has safeguarded countless homes, minimizing damage during earthquakes.
Italy is a leader in seismic isolation technology. After the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, the country introduced systems that allow buildings to 'float' during tremors, reducing quake damage and protecting structures from the worst effects.
In New Zealand, schools use virtual reality to simulate earthquakes. This advanced technology helps children experience realistic quake scenarios, teaching them how to react appropriately during a real seismic event.
Earthquake preparedness is costly, but the price of inaction can be far greater. Governments must prioritize spending on seismic resilience to protect lives and infrastructure, especially in regions at high risk for earthquakes.
Japan invests billions annually in disaster resilience, ranging from early warning systems to quake-resistant infrastructure and automatic train-stopping technologies that minimize damage and save lives.
Indonesia has invested heavily in early warning systems. But while progress is being made, some argue that these efforts still fall short of addressing the full scope of seismic risks.
Mexico City launched a large-scale retrofitting program for schools and hospitals following the devastating 2017 earthquake. This program aims to improve seismic resilience in public buildings and minimize casualties during future quakes.
According to research from the National Institute of Building Sciences, for every US$1 spent on earthquake resilience, $4 are saved in avoided disaster costs. Investing in seismic safety is not only a moral imperative, but also an economic necessity.
Early warning systems, such as ShakeAlert in California, are revolutionizing earthquake preparedness. These systems detect seismic waves and send alerts before destructive waves arrive, giving people crucial seconds to respond.
Satellite interferometry allows scientists to track tectonic stress with incredible precision. By measuring ground movements from space, this technology helps predict where large earthquakes are likely to occur, assisting with emergency response planning.
Japan is pioneering AI-based earthquake forecasting. These models offer probabilistic risk assessments months in advance, supporting preparedness and disaster planning, though exact predictions remain beyond current scientific capability.
In Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Wellington, modern skyscrapers use seismic sensors and damping systems. Some feature emerging smart tech that detects quakes in real time and reduces structural stress during tremors.
Earthquake cloaking is a cutting-edge field of research focused on redirecting seismic waves around buildings. Although still in early stages, this technology could one day protect structures from the full force of an earthquake, revolutionizing seismic protection.
Sources: (World Population Review) (Vox) (BBC)
See also: The countries most vulnerable to natural disasters
The nations most (and least) prepared for the next big quake
A global look at which countries are ready to withstand the next seismic shock, and which are dangerously exposed
LIFESTYLE Natural Disasters
Earthquakes strike without warning, but how nations prepare can mean the difference between resilience and catastrophe. Around the world, some countries lead with cutting-edge engineering, strict building codes, and early warning systems. Others remain dangerously exposed, where poor infrastructure and weak planning amplify devastation.
From Tokyo's smart skyscrapers to Haiti's vulnerable housing, click on for a global look at seismic readiness and risk.