You don't have to tell Angelenos that an earthquake can be one of Mother Nature's most destructive forces. Particularly when it comes to our homes.

In a major quake, most of the damage and loss of life is not caused by the quake, but by the buildings themselves. And when you look at an ordinary high-rise, they are basically built to support a vertical load -- the walls and roof. 

But an earthquake doesn't create a vertical load, but rather a lateral one -- that pulls sideways. Imagine a game of Jenga and someone bumping the table.

So how do buildings withstand that kind of force?

WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE ABOVE PLAYER TO FIND OUT