Nonetheless, Southern Californians have learned, through experience, that it is possible to live with some measure of safety in their earthquake-prone land. Improved construction standards help buildings survive earthquakes. The Olive View Hospital in Sylmar, California, was built in 1964 to meet the earthquake provisions of building codes in place at that time. Rebuilt to stricter design and construction standards, the hospital was again subjected to strong shaking in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Advances in engineering and earth science help Southern Californians better prepare for future temblors.
New knowledge is applied to make both old and new structures safer in earthquakes.
For example, analyses of damage in past earthquakes have prompted increasingly strict standards of design and construction. Older structures that have not been strengthened to meet recent seismic design codes, in particular unreinforced masonry buildings, are the most serious safety threat in earthquakes. Recognizing this danger, the City of Los Angeles began strengthening such buildings in the early 1980's. More than 6,000 had been reinforced when the 1994 Northridge shock hit. This one program undoubtedly prevented substantial loss of life and property in that temblor.