Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Earthquakes are amongst the most destructive natural disasters. They usually strike without any warning and result in a great loss of life and an enormous demolition of buildings. Additionally, they may cause devastating landslides or create gigantic tidal waves (44) ______, in fact, are colossal walls of water smashing into seashores with such force that they are (45) ______ of destroying coastal cities. (46) ______, the vast majority of fatalities and serious injuries come about when buildings collapse.
Most frequently, the earthquake lasts 30 to 60 seconds, so usually there is no time to (47) ______ the mortal upshot once the shaking starts. The savage forces of an earthquake trigger off a complex chain reaction in the building's structure when it is shaken, lifted, pushed or pulled. A building's height, its shape and (48) ______ factors such as construction materials are the most significant factors deciding about the survival or collapse of the structure and, consequently, about the life or death of its inhabitants.