The damage caused by these waves can be very great in a big quake. Scientists have found that there are about one million earthquakes every year. Luckily, most are very small. Also many earthquakes take place beneath the sea, so they do no damage. When a big earthquake takes place near a city, many lives may be lost.
Buildings crumble and fall.
Fires, sometimes caused by fallen wires, rage out of control. Perhaps one of the most frightening effects of earthquake is the tsunami, or tidal wave. This Japanese word describes a giant sea wave caused by the movement of the land, destroying everything in its path. To study and measure volcanoes and earthquakes, scientists use special tools. With these tools, they hope to be able to predict these natural disasters in order to save lives.