Can the surface of the Earth really be on the move? Understanding natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes has been a goal of scientific study of the Earth from the time of the Greeks to the present day. But the Theory of Plate Tectonics wasn’t established until the 1960s. Scientists needed information gained through the use of modern equipment to develop the explanation. They relied on sonar to map features of the sea floor, satellites to measure land masses from space, and GPS signals to measure how fast and in which direction the continental plates are moving. All of these have contributed to understanding tectonic activity. From the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras to the recent identification of the possibility for a new continent to form in eastern Africa, the scientists and ideas that describe our modern understanding of how the earth’s crust moves, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, are presented. This book features succinct text supported by color photographs and dynamic graphics. Sidebars, offset in contrasting colors, add relevant details to the text on the page. “Quick Facts” shown within the image of a magnifying glass add one- to three-sentence summaries of interesting, related information. This book from the “Shaping Modern Science” series closes with a timeline, a glossary, a list of books and websites titled “For More Information,” and an index. It would be a good addition to a middle or high school science class or library. Reviewer: Hazel Buys