Earthquakes can be a slight shake almost no one notices. Or, they can be catastrophic events that level city blocks. In this book, readers learn how and why earthquakes happen as well as how scientists predict and measure them today. Some of the worst earthquakes in history--and their destruction--are discussed, as are safety tips readers can easily remember should they find themselves in an earthquake. Full-color photographs highlight the reality of a terrible earthquake accompanying achievable text full of earth science content.