How to Prepare Data Centers for an Earthquake

Even if seismic events are unlikely, preparation is essential. Good information technology (IT) leaders develop contingency plans for every possibility. Whether the building has existed for years or construction professionals haven’t yet broken ground, there are multiple ways to make data centers earthquake-resistant.

Precautions to Take During Data Center Construction

Prevention is vital. The Uptime Institute’s 2024 global data center survey revealed that 53% of data center owners and operators experienced at least one outage from 2021 to 2024, 24% of which were significant, serious or severe. Around 20% of impactful outages cost upward of $1 million.

Here are some things that must be planned for before construction begins on new data centers.

Reinforce Structures With Flexible Materials

A flexible foundation and steel bracing provide vital structural reinforcement. Base isolation helps by separating the foundation from the structure. The isolator flexes to keep the building from moving with the ground, significantly reducing sway during quakes. Data center operators should ensure construction professionals take this into consideration during the design phase.

Strategically Select the Data Center’s Site

Most professionals know not to build over or next to a fault line. However, as zoning regulations evolve and more data centers are built, they may not have the luxury of strategic site selection. Geological surveys, historical analyses and liquefaction risk assessment are vital to understanding the potential frequency and severity of future seismic events.

Install Microgrids to Increase Resilience

Servers are incredibly energy-intensive. The Boston Consulting Group predicts global data center power demand will achieve a 16% compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2028, reaching an estimated 130 gigawatts.

Even if the building and IT equipment are structurally sound after a quake, power may be an issue for those relying on public utilities. Hospitals and police stations will take priority if the electricity infrastructure is damaged. Operators need microgrids — or backup generators, at the very least — to be self-sufficient in emergencies.

Create Counterforces With Dampening

Construction professionals can create counterforces with dampers by strategically positioning them between columns and beams. These vibrational control devices minimize mechanical vibrations. Since they are reusable, replacing them after an earthquake is unnecessary.

Simulate to Improve Material Selection

Simulations can help owners determine weight distribution, flexibility and stiffening during construction. Digital solutions powered by historical information are the most accurate. However, shake tables and vibration tests can also ensure IT equipment continues functioning.

Earthquake Protections to Integrate During Operation

If operators have the funds to make their data center earthquake-resistant, they should take the opportunity. Redundancy, physical protection systems and regulatory compliance can help prevent disaster-related equipment and information loss. Integrating these protections is vital to ensure continued operations in the wake of a disaster.

Comply With Relevant Seismic Standards

Operators should comply with seismic standards. For instance, NEBS GR-63 is a seismic standard for zone 4 that helps protect hardware exposed to environmental stresses. It was designed for the most severe quake conditions. ASCE-7 and the International Building Code are also essential.

Protect Equipment With Physical Systems

Shock-absorbing mounts, base isolation, seismic server racks and secured cabinets minimize vibration and prevent tipping. Cable management and flexible connections help ensure everything stays plugged in.

Embrace Redundancy to Prevent Downtime

Operators should prioritize redundancy if equipment or information loss is possible. Many are considering off-site storage. Companies are increasingly leveraging multicloud strategies, using public and private clouds from different providers. Diversification enhances resilience.

Develop a Foolproof Disaster Recovery Plan

Most IT leaders know how to restore networks, storage systems and applications after an emergency. Gartner found that 96% have a disaster recovery plan as of 2024. Of those who don’t, around 50% are in the planning, development or deployment stages.

Whether disaster recovery plans involve backups, virtualization or cloud storage, a multiphase testing approach is important. Trend analysis, simulations and prototyping are crucial for ensuring relevancy and effectiveness.

Preventive Action Is Better Than a Reactive Approach

While disaster recovery is reactive by definition, preventive action is fundamental to its success. The more secure the infrastructure and hardware are, the less impact severe vibrations will have. Data center owners and IT leaders should collaborate to develop proactive interventions to ensure continued operations before and after an earthquake strikes.

##

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zac writes for ReHack as the Features Editor and covers cybersecurity, IT, and business tech. His work has been featured on publications like AllBusiness, CyberTalk, and BLR. For more of his writing, follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn.