TED-Ed: Why do buildings fall in earthquakes? - Vicki V. May

The video explores the impact of earthquakes on buildings, debunking common myths about building collapse. It explains how buildings respond to seismic activity, focusing on factors like mass and stiffness. The 1985 Mexico City earthquake serves as a case study to illustrate the concept of resonance, where seismic waves matched the natural frequency of mid-sized buildings, causing them to collapse. Modern engineering solutions, such as base isolation and tuned mass dampers, are discussed as methods to prevent such collapses by absorbing shocks and reducing vibrations.

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