# Why do buildings fall in earthquakes?

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED-Ed
- Speaker: Vicki V. May
- Year: 2015
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Engineering, Art, architecture and design, Teaching and learning
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/vicki_v_may_why_do_buildings_fall_in_earthquakes)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Earthquakes have always been a terrifying phenomenon, and they’ve become more deadly as our cities have grown — with collapsing buildings posing one of the largest risks. But why do buildings collapse in an earthquake? And how can it be prevented? Vicki V. May explains the physics of why it is not the sturdiest buildings, but the smartest, that will remain standing. \[Directed by Adam Comiskey, narrated by Addison Anderson\].

## Lectures

1. [Why do buildings fall in earthquakes?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/vicki_v_may_why_do_buildings_fall_in_earthquakes/065155a566ff), 5 min (TED's player)