Seismic Code and Standard Development and NEHRP Recommended Provisions

Major earthquakes are rare compared to other natural hazards such as wind, floods, and snowstorms; however, the destructive power of major earthquakes can be devastating. Thousands of lives and billions of dollars in economic investment could be lost in poorly prepared communities. Our nation’s seismic risk can be largely reduced through earthquake-resistant buildings designed and constructed in compliance with modern building codes.