Japan Eearthquake makes skyscrapers dance

[Maia Gabrial]

This makes me want to avoid skyscrapers altogether!

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[cloud9]

I have to say that japanese people are so calm during those events... I find it remarkable!

[HORIZONS]

Years ago I was at the top of the twin Towers and just the wind up there made them rock back and forth - of corse they are designed to do this, b/c if they didn't give like this they would break. I grew up in S. Cal and the buildings are made to move - this is actually a good thing.

[Flash]

Sky scrapers in Japan are made with technologies to make them dance, they are build on huge balls that allow them to slide on during an earthquake and avoid breaking. A level 9 earthquake and they just danced. Excellent technology imho. So the buildings were very well made to resist earthquakes.

Although scary, those buildings probably were amongst the safest place to be in terms of constrution. Accidents from furniture falling inside the buildings may however happen.

[seko]

remarkable technology. Japanese people lead by example and we should learn from them.

[Ellisa]

I agree with you about the safety angle, Flash, but I still think it is paradoxical to think we are probably as safe in a properly designed high-rise than anywhere else in a force 9 earthquake. I would want to run outside!

And the people chatting sound as though this is SO normal--- amazing!

[pamina]

I was on the 13th floor in SF during an earthquake. It felt wierd and I could see the wall behind me tilted at an odd angle and walking felt like being on a ship. But all was ok.