This book is a concise introduction to the interactions between earthquakes and human-built structures (buildings, dams, bridges, power plants, pipelines and more). It focuses on the ways in which these interactions illustrate the application of basic physics principles and concepts, including inertia, force, shear, energy, acceleration, elasticity, friction and stability.

Frederick Thomas has a B.S. in Physics, a Ph.D. in Science Education and 30+ years of experience teaching physics, astronomy and math at the secondary school and introductory college levels. His experience includes 22 years in the Physics Department at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio and two years each in Ghana and Australia. He is currently President of Learning with Math Machines, Inc.

Preface Acknowledgments Figures and Videos Chapters 1.The Size of Earthquakes 2.Causes and Effects 3.Modelling Earthquake Hazard 4.Ancient Methods 5.Position, Velocity and Acceleration 6.Strength, Flexibility and Elasticity 7.Calculations and Authentic Assessment 8.Resonance 9.Landslides 10.Liquefaction 11.Tsunamis 12.Mitigating Damage in High-Risk Areas References