The earthquake in China has sent shock waves through the world. What, if anything, could have saved the children who died in the collapsed school buildings or many thousands killed throughout the Sichuan Province?

No structure can withstand the powerful force of a major quake, but for communities on fault lines, monolithic domes are becoming a prudent choice. Just as these concrete shell buildings can withstand tornadoes and hurricane force winds, they appear to provide remarkable strength during earthquakes. How?

Builders say monolithic domes are strong because they are self-supporting structures. During tremors, a dome acts like an upside down bowl. It moves with the ground instead of collapsing. For the science-minded, here are the technical claims made by dome-promoters:

• Understanding Seismic Zones
• Liquefaction and Earthquakes