I see these photos of various high-rise apartments as well as the skyline of Santo Domingo. My question: are these skyscraper apartments built according to any earthquake code? The island is on a major fault line. How well do these structures withstand a quake similar to the one in Haiti? I would like to know this information before buying. Thanks...
Most of the buildings built in the last decade are up to code, but the older ones may need checks due to vices in construction.
A 7.0 quake in the D.N. will certainly cause damages, no if or buts about that! Whomever thinks it can just ride the waves must be day dreaming...
But, and this is the big factor in that "damages" wording. Buildings may show fractured beams, collapsed fly walls, window damages, etc... But you can be certain we will not see a pancake effect like in Haiti in major proportions.
There will be some 100% failures, some partial collapses and some structural damages that will render buildings unsafe to live or even walk into. But these will be a very reduced number compared to others with relatively medium damages.
After living in Japan for some years, I came to learn there are no quake proof buildings. Just buildings that will sustain major shock waves and still allow the occupants to emerge alive from the ordeal. One good example of what we can expect in SD if a so called "Haiti" type quake hits, is to look at the most recent quake that hit Chile.
If it helps to put your mind to peace, if two equal magnitude quakes (like Haiti) hit in SD and San Juan (Puerto Rico) at the same time, you would be safer in the city of SD than in San Juan!!!!
If something like that happened in SD, I think you should be more worried about the possibility of a tsunami coming into the city than the buildings getting flat like pancakes...