Oftentimes, strucutres may crack significantly after a major earthquake.  Depending on their width and where these cracks are located (i.e. at the junction of walls and ceilings, in floor slabs and foundations, etc.), there may be a serious problem with stability of the structure, its foundations and floor slabs, and the underlying site from a geologic and settlement viewpoint. Even in absence of seismic settlement, strucutres may systain serious damage if the cripple walls in the crawl sapce are not reinforced with shear walls and/or the building is not bolted down to its foundations. 

                   Crack Above Closet                               Crack at the Junction of Two Walls

      Leaning Foundation Cripple Wall                            LA House with no concrete foundations

                                                                                                 or shear walls

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