When bracing for future disasters, look to the past
Quake-resistant buildings are the buzzword again after the April 11 8.6-magnitude earthquake off northern Sumatra
In Japan earthquake resistant technology (like damping or vertical seismic isolation devices) are common features in the latest architecture of buildings. Early warning is also highly developed, yet, traditional wisdom and education still play an important role in disaster preparedness, writes the New Straits Times.
"If there is a strong earthquake, leave anything you are doing and run to higher ground.' But that lesson has not been shared totally - and has to be relearned," said Hatsuhisa Takashi-ma, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs press secretary