The basis for modern earthquake resistant design can be considered to be a two stage process the objectives of which can be summarised as follows: Provide the structure with sufficient strength and stiffness to resist moderate earthquakes so that the frequency of occurrence of structural and non-structural damage is acceptably low, and Ensure that the probability of collapse of the structure and the risk to life in a severe earthquake is acceptably low. The first stage can be satisfied by seismic zoning to ensure that
the risk of damage to structures of similar structural type is acceptable and approximately uniform over the whole country and by restricting interstorey deflections under moderate earthquakes. The second stage can be satisfied by the use of structural type factors. In particular, this study explains how these principles were used to develop seismic zones and evaluate lateral loadings for Earthquake Resistant Design for Buildings in Papua New Guinea.