Some parts of the earth are more likely to have earthquakes than other parts. This is usually true of 1) areas because there the thickness of rocks is not even. It is easy to understand why people are so 2) by earthquakes. People used to believe that when an earthquake 3) , the ground opened, swallowed great numbers of people, and then it closed. It was also thought that those people would 4) forever. But now we know this is not what really happens. What we need to fear most is the effects of a serious earthquake, including fires, floods, and landslides. A powerful earthquake 5) in Yellowstone National Park on August 17, 1959. The earthquake was 6) and very strong. It also caused the worst landslides in US history since 1972. After the earthquake, some people said that they would never visit Yellowstone, because they were afraid they would be 7) in such a disaster caused by the earthquake. This is actually a foolish idea. Such a fear would 8) beautiful mountains for the rest of our lives. Even though earthquakes happen every day, such a powerful earthquake like the Yellowstone one does not happen frequently at all. We should feel 9) that very few of us will suffer such a bad natural disaster. Besides, if we know 10) and make careful preparations, the loss of lives could be avoided.