Scientists are testing a new generation of pipes that bend and move with the ground during an earthquake instead of rupturing. Hardier pipelines could prevent blazes and speed up disaster recovery by keeping open the flow of essential resources, the researchers say.

Photograph courtesy FEMA

MOST VIEWED NEWS PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked 2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies NEWS FEEDS      Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free. How to Use XML or RSS