User blog comment:Mckrongs/2011 Sendai Earthquake and Tsunami/@comment-2001629-20110315202600/@comment-3298463-20110315225753

The huge and tall buildings are actually huge and tall to resist earthquakes. A stiff building will fall apart when hit by the slightest tremor, while a long and flexible one oscilates wildly but doesn't actually fall. It's kinda like the "tree and rushes" analogy.

Too bad preventing a tsunami is harder, especially one so strong.