Each statement represents the primary learning objective for the corresponding major heading within this Topic. After you complete the Topic, you should be able to:

• Describe the mechanism that generates most earthquakes.

• Compare and contrast the types of seismic waves.

• Describe the principle of the seismograph.

• Explain how seismographs are used to locate the epicenter of an earthquake.

• Distinguish between intensity scales and magnitude scales.

• List and describe the major destructive forces that earthquake vibrations can trigger.

• Locate Earth’s major earthquake belts on a world map.

• Compare and contrast the goals of short-range earthquake predictions and long-range forecasts.

• Explain how Earth acquired its layered structure, and name and describe each of its major layers.