If you were living in an earthquake-prone region, would you want a material that deformed in a brittle or a ductile fashion?

Brittle materials will snap and fracture when subjected to
earthquake tremors. While the materials may be structurally strong in other ways, most
brittle materials are not suited for earthquake zones. Instead, the field of
Earthquake Engineering exists to study the effects of
tremors on building materials and find the best compromise between strength and safety.
For example, while concrete creates a stable and strong base for buildings, it is
subject to fracture, and can undermine a building even if the fractures are limited to
the foundation. However, with ductile (flexible) steel rods laid in certain patterns,
concrete fracturing can be prevented, contained, and more easily repaired if it is not
severe. The difference is between the vertical and horizontal stress load on the
building; most buildings are built only for vertical stress, not the side-to-side
horizontal stress of earthquake tremors. Various designs exist for earthquake-resistant
buildings, including interior and exterior bracing, unusual materials such as bamboo,
and making sure each floor in the building is as light as
possible.