M5.8 quake hits off northeastern Japan

But thanks to strict building codes, even powerful quakes that might wreak havoc in other countries frequently pass without causing much damage.

True, but one thing nobody's entirely sure about -- and this has been raised numerous times on TV newscasts -- is whether, after withstanding a major quake, buildings' structural integrity is weakened, and if so, to what degree.

True, but one thing nobody's entirely sure about -- and this has been raised numerous times on TV newscasts -- is whether, after withstanding a major quake, buildings' structural integrity is weakened, and if so, to what degree.

No, this is really well understood, actually. This is something that can be simulated quite easily.

Except for the Fukushima Daiichi plant, that's structurally not able to withstand another big quake...

@Lesley: Of course, an excellent point. Even a Shindo 4 can do plenty of damage to a nuclear power plant that is on its knees.

Even a Shindo 4 can do plenty of damage to a nuclear power plant that is on its knees.

Do you have that on auto text, YongYang? You've yet to provide any support at all for that ludicrous claim.

Fukushima is fine - they have propped it up with Haribo which naturally absorb movement energy and provide cushioning. It's a good day for German confectioners.

07:45 JST 05 Jul 2014 07:42 JST 05 Jul 2014 Iwate-ken Oki M5.8

Iwate ken , is one of the areas devastated by the great tsunami that took out over 20, 000 in the region of fukushima

"Except for the Fukushima Daiichi plant, that's structurally not able to withstand another big quake" I agee

All they need" is another big one that can set off the rods at that plant...