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Despite the losses, gains made through earthquake hazard mitigation efforts of the last two decades were obvious. Retrofits of masonry building helped reduce loss of life, hospitals suffered less structural damage than in 1971 San Fernando earthquake, and emergency response was exemplary. The Northridge earthquake proved that preparing for earthquakes CAN greatly reduce the risk. The earthquake brought home several important lessons. When earthquakes occur directly beneath a city, it will be subjected to ground motions with peak accelerations approaching the force of gravity, exceeding the levels of shaking anticipated by building codes. Systems of concealed faults under the Los Angeles area are more complex than previously thought. The significant fracturing of welds in steel frame buildings was unexpected because of the ductility of steel. Understanding the cause and correcting the problem will be essential to continue building in earthquake prone regions.