Which intervention is a core part of land-use planning near active faults?

Which intervention is a core part of land-use planning near active faults?

• A. Zoning to restrict building near fault traces and on unstable slopes
• B. Building on hazard-prone slopes
• C. No buffers
• D. Accelerating urban sprawl into hazard zones

Answer: (A)

Land-use planning near active faults aims to reduce risk by keeping people and critical infrastructure out of the most hazardous areas. The best approach is zoning that restricts building near fault traces and on unstable slopes. By identifying where faults run and where slopes are prone to instability, planners can set setback distances and designate safer land uses, so homes, schools, hospitals, and essential services aren’t placed where surface rupture, strong ground shaking, liquefaction, or landslides are likely. This proactive separation lowers potential damage, speeds emergency response, and cuts long-term costs after earthquakes. Building on hazard-prone slopes, having no buffers, or pushing growth into hazard zones would raise risk and undermine resilience.

Land-use planning near active faults aims to reduce risk by keeping people and critical infrastructure out of the most hazardous areas. The best approach is zoning that restricts building near fault traces and on unstable slopes. By identifying where faults run and where slopes are prone to instability, planners can set setback distances and designate safer land uses, so homes, schools, hospitals, and essential services aren’t placed where surface rupture, strong ground shaking, liquefaction, or landslides are likely. This proactive separation lowers potential damage, speeds emergency response, and cuts long-term costs after earthquakes. Building on hazard-prone slopes, having no buffers, or pushing growth into hazard zones would raise risk and undermine resilience.