Widespread damage to medium-rise buildings in Wellington was 'expected'NZN VIDEO We need to be prepared for earthquakes, says Wellington Mayor Justin Lester. Widespread structural damage to modern buildings in Wellington following the Kaikoura earthquake is no surprise to engineers. Inspections have found Wellington's medium-rise buildings suffered the worst damage in Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake, while low-rise buildings were relatively unscathed. "So the widespread level of structural damage in modern buildings designed for controlled damage in a severe earthquake is to be expected," Clifton said. "The structural failure of modern buildings, built with modern structural systems and to modern earthquake design codes is horrifying to many," Tookey said.

Source: Stuff November 17, 2016 23:11 UTC