Seismology

Seismology is the study of earthquakes. Earthquakes are when the ground shakes, sometimes causing buildings to break. People study earthquakes to figure out why they happen and if they can be predicted. Seismologists (scientists who study earthquakes) use special machines called seismometers to measure and record the shaking of the ground. They use this information to map out where earthquakes happen, how strong they are, and how deep inside the Earth they start. Seismology helps us understand how the planet is changing over time and how it can affect people.