The support pillar failed at the east end of the Imperial County Services Building in El Centro. This 6-story reinforced concrete frame and shear wall structure completed in 1971 at a construction cost of $1.87 million, was designed to be earthquake resistant. The concrete at the base of the columns was shattered and the vertical reinforced bars were severely bent, allowing the building to sag about 30 cm. The building was later destroyed and rebuilt.

Image Credit: U.S. Geological Survey