Seismic isolators

A seismic load suppressing system for a nuclear reactor that reduces the seismic input to the reactor and the internal components of the reactor including the fuel is described. The seismic load suppressing system includes, in one embodiment, a plurality of seismic isolators positioned circumferentially between the reactor pedestal and a lower pedestal and a plurality of displacement limiters coupled to a lower pedestal skirt and positioned adjacent the reactor pedestal. The seismic isolators include a plurality of alternating layers of a resilient material and steel plates bonded together. Each displacement limiter includes a cantilever beam. The beam includes a beam core and two steel plates laminated on opposing outer surfaces of the beam core. The steel plates are fabricated from carbon steel having a lower yield strength than the beam core.