Two 6.9 magnitude earthquakes occurred approximately 6 months apart in 1988 and 1989. The death toll in the Armenian earthquake was 25,000 people, while the death toll in the Loma Prieta quake was 62 people. What factor was most responsible for the difference in the death toll? a. The Armenian earthquake epicenter was closer to a population center. b. Better medical care was available in California than in Armenia. c. The quality of the building structure and construction standards were much better in the Loma Prieta region. d. The buildings and infrastructure in the Loma Prieta region were built of stone, while the Armenian buildings were built out of wood.

The factor which made the difference in the death toll was c. The quality of the building structure and construction standards were much better in the Loma Prieta region.

Explanation:

Construction standards in the Armenian territory followed the Soviet era high-rise buildings which were substandard and unable to withstand an earthquake of this magnitude.

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