This work provides an account of the history - ranging from the Earth's beginnings to recent developments in seismic technology - of the understanding of earthquakes. It explores the nature of earthquakes and volcanoes, the prediction of their behaviour and an up-to-date description of the measures that can taken to provide protection from them. The stories of some of the worst natural disasters are described, including Lisbon, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Alaska, Vesuvius, Krakatau, Mount St Helens and Kobe.