Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Morvi Temple (the Secretariat) an administrative building with a Hindu temple in the centre, built in the 19th century and being restored following the 1997 earthquake, Morvi, Gujarat, India, Asia

Bam, before the earthquake in 2003, Iran, Middle East

Church do Carmo ruins (demolished by the 1755 earthquake), Lisbon, Portugal, Europe

Reconstruction efforts in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, Pacific

Ruins of the church after the earthquake of 1968, Santa Margherita Belice, Sicily, Italy, Europe

Reconstruction efforts in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, Pacific

Woman in front of a damaged car, January 2010 earthquake, downtown, Port au Prince, Haiti, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

Byzantine castle dating from 7th century, ruined by earthquake in 1222, Paphos, Cyprus, Mediterranean, Europe

Byzantine castle dating from the 2nd century AD, destroyed in an earthquake, Kato Paphos, Cyprus, Europe

Buildings demolished in earthquake area of Azad Jammu Kashmir, in village of Pattika, Pakistan

Melisani Lake in cave where roof collapsed in an earthquake, Kefalonia (Cephalonia), Ionian Islands, Greece, Europe

Port au Prince cathedral damaged by the 2010 earthquake, Port au Prince, Haiti, West Indies, Central America

Bam, before the 2003 earthquake, Iran, Middle East

Earthquake Memorial Park marking the Kobe Earthquake on 17 January 1995, Kobe Port, Kobe, Honshu, Japan, Asia

Usa, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Legend Of Hollywood Mural By Eloy Torres (Demolished In 1993 Earthquake)

Portugal, Lisbon, Carmo Church Ruins (Demolished By The 1755 Earthquake)

Earthquake Simulator Truck for Public Earthquake Awareness training, Ginza, Tokyo, Japan, Asia

Portugal, Lisbon, Carmo Church Ruins (Demolished By The 1755 Earthquake)

Earthquake damage, Lorca, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

A Tsunami warning sign in Seward, Alaska, United States of America, North America

The massive 1991 Randa landslide below Zermatt, Switzerland, Europe

Church destroyed in an earthquake, Lorca, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Earthquake damage to an old church, part of which collapsed, Lorca, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Earthquake damage, Lorca, Andalucia, Spain, Europe

Tsunami Map, Puerto Rico Earthquake, 1918

Tsunami Map, Kii Peninsula Earthquake, 1944

Tsunami Map, Kamchatka Earthquake, 1923

Tsunami Map, Great Lisbon Earthquake, 1755

Earthquake ground displacement, Italy, August 2016

Napa Valley Earthquake, 2014, Interferogram

Generated by an undersea earthquake, a tsunami may propagate over open ocean waters before cresting and inundating a coastline.

Greece Zakynthos town Agios Dionysios church

Greece Zakynthos town panoramic view from Strani hill

Greece Zakynthos town view from Strani hill, old city center, habour

Zakynthos town Agios Dionysios church, habour

Newly built after the earthquake: Bodnath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia.

Completely restored after the earthquake: Durbar Square in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, Asia.

Zakynthos town Agios Dionysios church

Greece Zakynthos town panoramic view from Strani hill

Zakynthos town Agios Dionysios church

Architecture students drawing a diagram of a earthquake-proof house with truss structure. They are being trained by a German aid organization after the devastating earthquake in January 2010, Coq Chante village near Jacmel, Haiti, Caribbean, Central Ameri

A picturesque view of the abandoned, old mountain town of Craco, built of sandstone rock. Craco is a ghost town abandoned due to an earthquake in the late 20th century. Province of Matera, Basilicata, Italy

Crack in brick wall caused by earthquake

Ornated carved columns and door next to Siddhi Laxmi Temple in Durbar Square of Bhaktapur, Nepal. Before 2015 earthquake damage

Arch of neutrality and monument to the Earthquake, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Rubble in the slums of Fort National, the district was largely destroyed by the earthquake in January 2010, in the back the destroyed presidential palace, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Earthquake-proof prefab home that was given to the victims of the January 2010 earthquake as part of a reconstruction programme by an international aid organisation, Palmiste-a-Vin, Leogane, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Temporary camp set up on a former football field, for refugees of the earthquake in January 2010, Port au Prince, Haiti, Central America

Carpentry workshop for the production of components to construct earthquake-resistant prefabricated houses for the victimes of the January 2010 earthquake, Petit Goave, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Fitting of an artificial limb for a young woman who lost her leg in an earthquake, emergency relief programme of a relief organisation following the January 2010 earthquake, Leogane, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

The slums of Fort National, the district was largely destroyed by the earthquake in January 2010, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

A traditional half-timbered house that was completely destroyed by the January 2010 earthquake, Jacmel, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Statue of Jesus Christ toppled from the roof in the rubble of the church Sacre Coeur destroyed in an earthquake, Turgeau district, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake, mural at the Church of Santa Luzia in the typical Azulejos blue glazed tiles in Lisbon, Portugal, Europe

Woman, 40 years, and two children, 8 and 10 years, in barracks, Camp Icare for earthquake refugees, 5 years after the 2010 earthquake, Fort National, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Central America

Women braiding plaits, Camp Icare, camp for earthquake refugees, Fort National, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Central America

Woman and children in a ramshackle hut, Camp Icare, camp for earthquake refugees, Fort National, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Central America

Ceiling of the church of Sant Anastasia, Verona, Veneto, Italy, reinforced with iron girders to prevent earthquakes, Europe

Old cathedral of managua with blue sky, close up of an old cathedral next to lanterns around

Residents viewing a list of victims of the earthquake in January 2010 on a house wall, Fort National district, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

A traditional half-timbered house that was completely destroyed by the January 2010 earthquake, Jacmel, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Fishing boats washed into the heart of the country by the Tsunami on 26 Dec. 2004, now the Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial to the over 5, 000 victims, near Bang Muang, Takua Pa, Phang-nga, Thailand, Asia

Artificial legs for victims of the January 2010 earthquake, Leogane, Haiti, Caribbean, Central America

Arch of neutrality and monument to the Earthquake, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Monument to the Earthquake of 1948, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Beautiful landscape in Castelluccio di Norcia during a frozen sunset on Mount Redentore reflected in the lake, Umbria, Italy, Europe

Beautiful landscape in Castelluccio di Norcia during a frozen sunset on Mount Redentore reflected in the lake, Umbria, Italy, Europe

A rescue worker takes a break on top of a collapsed roof May 16 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

A rescue team look for survivors in the rubble of Beichuan Town, which was severely damaged by a powerful 7.9 earthquake. The Chinese government raised the death toll to 21,500 but has said fatalities could rise above 50,000. Tens of thousands could still be buried in collapsed buildings in Sichuan province, where the quake was centered.

Earthquake survivor Bian Gangfen directly after she was rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Yinghua.

A mother mourns her dead son May 17 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

A rescue worker directs a crane where to move a large chunk of concrete from a building that collapsed during a powerful earthquake in Hongbai Vilage, China.

Army and rescue workers recover a body May 19 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

A man rifles through the debris of what was his home, destroyed by an earthquake in Yinghua Village, China.

Survivors look for any signs of relatives and friends May 17 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

Rescue workers look for survivors May 17 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

A rescue worker waters his dog May 17 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

A green plastic sheet covers bodies at the scene of destruction at a middle school in Beichuan Town. The Chinese government raised the death toll to 21,500 but has said fatalities could rise above 50,000. Tens of thousands could still be buried in collapsed buildings in Sichuan province, where the quake was centered,

A woman walks through the rubble of Beichuan Town, which was severely damaged by a powerful 7.9 earthquake. The Chinese government raised the death toll to 21,500 but has said fatalities could rise above 50,000. Tens of thousands could still be buried in collapsed buildings in Sichuan province, where the quake was centered.

Earthquake refugees at a camp in the sports stadium in Mianyang, China. 5/14/2008

A mother mourns her dead son by burning incense and paper money May 17 in Beichuan, China. The death toll in China's worst earthquake in 30 years could top 80, 000 according to the government.

Houses are destroyed in Curanipe, Chile after an 8.8 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck this coastal town.

Houses are destroyed in Curanipe, Chile after an 8.8 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck this coastal town.

Houses are destroyed in Curanipe, Chile after an 8.8 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck this coastal town.

Trying to Rebuild

A local woman walks along a beaten dirt path next to a long building in Chile.

An adolescent Pashtun girl shields her face as she carries water through the streets of the Meira camp for earthquake survivors, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan. The conservative code of the Pashtun tribe of the area dictate that girls must cover themselves, including their faces, after their first period. The crowded life in the camp has made such rules difficult to follow. The Meira Tent camp (also called Mera, or Maria camp), is located on the Indus River in the Battagram district. The camp, the largest for displaced people in Pakistan, hosts over 21,000 earthquake survivors, primarily from the Allai valley in Pakistan's NWFP, one of the areas worst-hit by the October 8, 2005 earthquake.

A Pashtun girl holds her younger brother, in the Meira camp for earthquake survivors in the Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan. The Meira Tent camp (also called Mera, or Maria camp), is located on the Indus River in the Battagram district. The camp, the largest for displaced people in Pakistan, hosts over 21,000 earthquake survivors, primarily from the Allai valley in Pakistan's NWFP, one of the areas worst-hit by the October 8, 2005 earthquake.

A Pashtun man returning home to his mountain home from a camp for earthquake survivors, carries boxes up a steep hill, in the Battagram District, Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province. The Pakistan army has dictated that all camps for people displaced by the earthquake be emptied by early April, whether families want to return or not. The Battgram district was one of the worst-hit by the October 2005 earthquake, and aftershocks and heavy rains continue to trigger landslides, which have hampered reconstruction efforts and the return of earthquake survivors to their mountain villages from the low altitude tent camps where many spent the winter.

A Pashtun man stands outside the Cuban hospital in the Meira camp for earthquake survivors, NWFP, Pakistan. The Cuban government sent 30,000 doctors, nurses and other personnel to set up field hospitals throughout the earthquake affected area. The Meira Tent camp (also called Mera, or Maria camp), is run by the Pakistani army like a small city, and is located on the Indus River in the Battagram district. The camp, the largest for displaced people in Pakistan, hosts over 21,000 earthquake survivors, primarily Pashtuns from the Allai valley in Pakistan's NWFP, one of the areas worst-hit by the October 8, 2005 earthquake.

A girl in the Meira tent camp for earthquake survivors stands on top of a pile of her family's belongings as they wait for transportation from the camp, where they have spent the winter, back to their devastated mountain village, in the NWFP, Pakistan. The Pakistani army, which runs the camp, has mandated that the camps be cleared by early April, despite the fact that many families are afraid or unprepared to return to their devastated homes. The Meira Tent camp (also called Mera, or Maria camp), is located on the Indus River in the Battagram district. The camp, the largest for displaced people in Pakistan, hosts over 21,000 earthquake survivors, primarily from the Allai valley in Pakistan's NWFP, one of the areas worst-hit by the October 8, 2005 earthquake.

In the Meira camp for earthquake survivors, two Pashtun men sit by piles of family possesions, waiting for the truck which will take them from the camp, where they have spent the winter, back to their devastated mountain village, in the Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan. The Pakistani army, which runs the camp, has mandated that the camps be cleared by early April, despite the fact that many families are afraid or unprepared to return to their devastated homes. The Meira Tent camp (also called Mera, or Maria camp), is located on the Indus River in the Battagram district. The camp, the largest for displaced people in Pakistan, hosts over 21,000 earthquake survivors, primarily from the Allai valley in Pakistan's NWFP, one of the areas worst-hit by the October 8, 2005 earthquake.