earthquake-proof buildings are constructed to withstand the destructive force of an earthquake. this depends upon its type of construction, shape, mass distribution, and rigidity. different combinations are used. square, rectangular, and shell-shaped buildings can withstand earthquakes better than skyscrapers. to reduce stress, a building's ground floor can be supported by extremely rigid, empty columns, while the rest of the building is supported by flexible columns inside the empty columns. another method is to use rollers or rubber pads to separate the base columns from the ground, allowing the columns to shake parallel to each other during an earthquake.