An earthquake happens because of semiotic waves under the earth that are caused because of the movement of the plates in the crust of the earth.  Earthquakes frequently happen in Portugal, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, the former Yugoslav, Republic of Macedonian and Turkey. That's in Asia.  Earthquakes can trigger mudslides, landslides, and tsunamis.  But, Tim is working on tsunamis so, don't look for tsunamis on my page!  Once on a Japanese island there was an earthquake in the water, that triggered a tsunami.  All the people ran up the hill to escape the tsunami, but the earthquake has other effects.  A mudslide had started!  The people are running to their doom.  The mudslide pushed them down the hill and they all drowned. 

Now I will explain how to protect yourself in an earthquake.  If you are inside get under a table or a desk, or even a doorway.