The Ennis House faced structural problems due to its location. What hazards contributed to this damage?

The Ennis House faced structural problems due to its location. What hazards contributed to this damage?

• A. Heavy floods
• B. Earthquakes and mudslides
• C. Hurricanes
• D. Droughts

Answer: (B)

A hillside site in Southern California faces two main hazards that can cause structural problems: earthquakes and mudslides. Earthquakes shake the ground and can shift or crack foundations and walls, especially on a slope where the soil can move more easily. After heavy rain, loose hillside soil can flow downslope as a mudslide, bringing debris that presses against and destabilizes the structure. The Ennis House sits on a steep hillside, so these two hazards—ground shaking and debris-laden flows—are the primary reasons for its damage. Heavy floods, hurricanes, or droughts aren’t the typical threats for that location, so they are less likely explanations for the damage.

A hillside site in Southern California faces two main hazards that can cause structural problems: earthquakes and mudslides. Earthquakes shake the ground and can shift or crack foundations and walls, especially on a slope where the soil can move more easily. After heavy rain, loose hillside soil can flow downslope as a mudslide, bringing debris that presses against and destabilizes the structure. The Ennis House sits on a steep hillside, so these two hazards—ground shaking and debris-laden flows—are the primary reasons for its damage. Heavy floods, hurricanes, or droughts aren’t the typical threats for that location, so they are less likely explanations for the damage.