! Classify the earthquake-related risks of populations around the world by the construction class of buildings in which they live and by the seismic intensity possible in the area. Such classifications will help improve the accuracy of loss prediction studies before disasters (127).

! Determine the role of physical elements (e.g., type of building, nonstructural elements) in producing specific types and severities of earthquake-related injuries. Currently, data on deaths and injuries and other related data are usually gathered without being correlated with building design information, the dynamic characteristics of soil around each building, or the characteristics of the population at risk in individual buildings. Furthermore, few studies have looked at exactly what components of a building cause the injuries, particularly in those situations in which some people are killed and others are only injured or escape without injury (79).