earthquakes may take place anywhere on the earth's surface. during all earth quake, the vibrations make the earth's surface tremble, and even crack open. houses fall, people are lilled or injured and sometimes whole cities are destroyed.

　　can we do something to protect ourselves against earthquakes? can we take precau tionary measures? we can. scientists have made investigation on earthquakes. they have made maps showing the "earthquake belts". in areas along these belts, earthquakes are likely to occur. in these areas we can build special houses to resist earthquake shocks and protect ourselves.

　　in the future, scientists will be able to predict exactly when and where earthquakes will take place. then they will be able to tell people to take precautionary measures. thus lives can he saved and damage can be lessened.