On the 35th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, the National Institute of Building Sciences leadership joined U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, CA-15, in his announcement of critical legislation to improve the nation’s preparation for and recovery from earthquakes.

On Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. The earthquake and subsequent aftershocks have resulted in over 22,000 deaths to date and left countless others without shelter, food and basic necessities in cold winter conditions.

Earthquakes are common, but collapsed buildings, with contemporary structural design, are fortunately very rare. The same is not true in mid-century modern construction, which can be far more deadly, as the structures often lack sufficient reinforcing to withstand seismic forces.