Wow that is some crack on the front of the house in the news video. Can't imagine what that sounded or felt like in bed at 3 AM. Engineering wise for earthquake construction the first rule of thumb is structures should be tough, able to deflect and deform a considerable amount. The flexibility hedges against collapse. The house in the video appears to be a block house. I wonder if a stick built house is more flexible and would have less damage.
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