How do buildings collapse in a downward direction during earthquakes?

Question

Example: [https://youtube.com/shorts/t1nC0AOP_X4?feature=share](https://youtube.com/shorts/t1nC0AOP_X4?feature=share)

I don’t get it. The Physics of it. And also how would one prevent this?

In: 6

Answer 1

>And also how would one prevent this?

They’re designed that way on purpose. Falling sideways would be worse since it might fall into a building that otherwise would have been fine.