Seismic defence structures

A seismic wave shield comprising a set of at least two rows of columns, the at least two rows of columns being spaced apart from each other and embedded in regolith, wherein the Young's modulus of the material forming the columns is at least 10 times higher than the Young's modulus of the regolith and wherein the columns are positioned on points of a hexagonal, or other Bravais, lattice and are in contact with and clamped to bedrock to form a stop band for blocking seismic waves, with a zero or near zero lower frequency limit, wherein there is a material contrast between a material forming the columns and the regolith, and further wherein the seismic wave shield is positioned outside of and away from a lateral perimeter of a building, wherein a width of the shield in a direction of waves to be blocked is defined by the at least two rows of columns, and wherein a total volume of the columns is at least 15% of the volume of the seismic wave shield.