If there is one conclusion that can be drawn from the study of earthquakes, it would be that they are unpredictable. As much as scientists have made progress in determining what causes some earthquakes and where they are likely to occur, they are still unable to know with certainty that they will occur on a certain day, at a certain time. For those that choose to live in earthquake prone areas, it is important to be prepared. By knowing the risks, lives can be saved and structures may remain intact.