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Science 11 June 2004:
Vol. 304. no. 5677, p. 1604
DOI: 10.1126/science.1098145
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Policy Forum

GEOLOGY:
Enhanced: Building for Earthquakes

William Leith

Most earthquake losses result from damage to structures, but much can be done to mitigate urban earthquake risk. Because basic data and analysis are lacking for how buildings and other structures perform under extreme loads, this Policy Forum describes two U.S. government programs for expanding placement of recording instruments and sensors in seismic regions and for developing tools for modeling and simulation to predict building performance during earthquakes. These combined efforts could lead to significant progress toward building resiliency in the urban environment.

The author is with the U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192. E-mail: wleith{at}usgs.gov

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)