  We developed a new method of earthquakeproof engineering to create an
artificial seismic shadow zone using acoustic metamaterials. By designing huge
empty boxes with a few side-holes corresponding to the resonance frequencies of
seismic waves and burying them around the buildings that we want to protect,
the velocity of the seismic wave becomes imaginary. The meta-barrier composed
of many meta-boxes attenuates the seismic waves, which reduces the amplitude of
the wave exponentially by dissipating the seismic energy. This is a mechanical
method of converting the seismic energy into sound and heat. We estimated the
sound level generated from a seismic wave. This method of area protection
differs from the point protection of conventional seismic design, including the
traditional cloaking method. The meta-barrier creates a seismic shadow zone,
protecting all the buildings within the zone. The seismic shadow zone is tested
by computer simulation and compared with a normal barrier.
