Which action is described as part of earthquake preparedness in the material?

• A. Increase building height limits.
• B. Install emergency signage at every street corner.
• C. Rotate city council meetings.
• D. Map active faults and areas likely to liquefy from shaking.

Answer: (D)

Mapping seismic hazards like active faults and soils likely to liquefy during shaking is a direct, proactive step in earthquake preparedness. Knowing where faults run and where liquefaction could occur helps planners and engineers make safer land-use decisions, inform building codes, and target retrofits or avoidance of high-risk areas before an event happens. This focused hazard assessment reduces potential damage by guiding where stronger construction or avoidance is needed.

Other options don’t directly address reducing earthquake risk. Increasing building height limits relates to development rules but not specifically to earthquake safety. Installing emergency signage at street corners is helpful for emergencies in general but doesn’t identify or mitigate seismic hazards. Rotating city council meetings have no bearing on earthquake preparedness.