Could we ever stop these tragedies? Friday’s earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand have left thousands dead and injured. But there may be ways of minimising future damage.
Mourning after ‘supersonic jet’ quake
Devastation: Entire neighbourhoods of Mandalay, above, are in ruins. Experts fear the death toll could reach 10,000. Glossary
Mandalay - The second-largest city in Myanmar (formerly called Burma). It is known as a city of gold, with pagodas and Buddhist burial grounds.
Epicentre - The central focus of something. In an earthquake, the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus.
Bangkok - Thailand's capital city, with a population of 11 million.
Bangladesh - A country in South Asia with a population of nearly 170 million.
Regime - A system or way of doing things, especially an authoritarian one.
Seismic waves - A wave of energy produced by earthquakes, explosions or other energetic sources.
Seismologists - A scientist who studies earthquakes and seismic waves.
Antioch - An ancient Greek city, now in modern-day Turkey.
Corrupt - A corrupt person abuses their power for personal gain. It often involves bribery.