Each statement represents a primary learning objective for parts of this unit. After you complete the unit, you should be able to:

• Sketch and describe the mechanism that generates most earthquakes.

• Compare and contrast the types of seismic waves, and 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.

• Name and describe each of Earth's major layers.