Steps in earthquake proofing a country - A case study of Myanmar

In many countries around the world, building and bridge structures with close proximity to known earthquake faults have been constructed with little consideration to the effects of strong ground shaking. This paper discusses some of the infrastructure and systems required in a country to prevent structural collapse, and hence major loss, in a major earthquake. The modus operandi of one group which seeks to reduce earthquake loss in these countries, the World Seismic Safety Initiative, is described. Finally, a case study is carried out on Myanmar where extraordinary strides that have been made toward earthquake risk reduction in a relatively short period of time.