Glass is more popular because it is cheaper/more common equipment and material and has a far more widespread knowledgebase for the household. There are home canning possibilities with metal cans and retort bags, but it will be a lot more expensive.

You can store glass jars in earthquake country securely if you take suitable measures. I live in Anchorage and have over 360 jars in stock right now. They are on shelves with wooden rails, packed in fairly snug, and the only way they will get destroyed is if the house comes down.