Which would survive better in a quake?

Question

Which building would more likely survive an earthquake? A high rise, steel-frame hotel built on sediments, or a wood frame house built on bedrock? Thanks for your help

Answer 1

The wood frame house on bedrock.

Reasons:

The house has a lower profile and is less susceptible to sway.

The high rise is built on sediment which can become "liquefied" during an earthquake.  This process is called liquefaction.  To read more about this, go to:

http://www.ce.washington.edu/~liquefacti...

Answer 2

Any building that is designed to osculate as per the vibration of earthquakes without obstructing its force. The high rise buildings will be affected by low frequency earthquakes and short buildings and bridges will be damaged by high frequency earth quakes. There were several buildings damaged in earthquake of less than 8 in Richter scale in India and China where as several buildings withstood the earthquakes of more than 8 in Richter scale in Japan..Apart from Richter scale several other geological conditions also decides the damages.