Earthquake+Desk=?

Seeing an everyday desk which, seems more beefed up than the average school desk, being destroyed by 500kg (1102 lb)is really eye opening to what could happen in an earthquake. Especially how in the event of an earthquake students are always instructed to get under their desk, which the thinking makes sense apart from the fact that the desk would not protect from more than just debris but not major structural components or large chunks of debris falling from the roof or the roof itself.

Earthquake Safe Desk

This reminds me slightly of PSA's from back in the day when the US was at odds with this little country off in the east (or west if you want to think of it that way) called the USSR. In the event of a nuclear explosion it would appear the effects will linger for less than two weeks due to the fact you need not have food for more than two weeks(7:30), as well as the fact that a raincoat and tucked in pants when used in conjunction with a small brush and showers will make it able for individuals to traverse the newly made nuclear wasteland.(10:44)

The best part is that stacks of books will help protect you from the ill effects.(6:40)

Not too sure but i think a building puts up more than a fight than books.

But back to the original thing, why were desks like these never thought of being used in schools, especially those on fault zones such as here in California.

Video if link is being weird: http://vimeo.com/40113919