This reader-friendly, carefully illustrated text introduces the scientific, historical, and personal safety aspects of earthquakes. It is significantly broader in perspective than other texts on the subject, providing the basic scientific facts about earthquakes, explaining how the study of earthquakes has progressed through time, offering details on the development of earthquake instruments, and covering immediately practical aspects such as personal safety, building and living in areas prone to earthquakes, and earthquake geography. No prior courses are assumed.<br> <br>