What commonly causes severe damage in single-story frame (wood construction)houses in an earthquake?
A) They bounce up and down so much that the internal plaster or sheetrock crumbles.
B) They bounce up and down so much that the nails pull out of the wood supports.
C) The shaking shatters the windows, so the glass cuts up everything.
D) They shake off their foundations.
E) They totally collapse.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most common cause of severe damage in single-story frame (wood construction) houses in an earthquake is shaking them off their foundations. The shaking can also cause some nail pullout, but it is usually not severe enough to cause significant damage. The internal plaster or sheetrock may also crack or crumble, but it is rarely the primary cause of severe damage. Similarly, shattered windows can be a hazard, but they rarely cause significant structural damage. Total collapse is also possible but is relatively rare in single-story frame houses.

What Commonly Causes Severe Damage in Single-Story Frame (Wood Construction)houses