Earthquakes

Peter Moczo is a Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. He is an Academician of the Learned Society of Slovakia and serves as the Head of the Division of Physics of the Earth at the Department of Astronomy, Physics of the Earth, and Meteorology.

Prof. Moczo supervises the Master's program in Physics of the Earth and the PhD program in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. Additionally, he is a Member of the Scientific Council of Comenius University and the Presidium of the Slovak Research and Development Agency. Furthermore, he is a researcher at the Earth Sciences Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

He studied Physics at Charles University in Prague from 1975 to 1980, where he completed his PhD in Seismology in 1988 under the supervision of Prof. Vlastislav Cervený. In 1999, he earned the highest scientific degree, DrSc. (Doctor of Sciences), in Geophysics.

Throughout his research career, Prof. Moczo has focused on the development of finite-difference modelling of seismic wave propagation and earthquake motion in rheologically and structurally complex media. He has also contributed to the numerical modelling of site effects of earthquakes. His extensive contributions include being the first author of the monograph "The Finite-Difference Modelling of Earthquake Motions: Waves and Ruptures," published by Cambridge University Press, along with other books.

Prof. Moczo's scientific achievements have been recognized with awards from the Minister of Education and Science, the Rector of Comenius University, and the Presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

Eva Rutseková is currently a 3rd-year History student at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. Her bachelor's thesis deals with the historical earthquakes in Komárno in 1763 and 1783.

In her role as a scientific editor's assistant,she made notable contributions to the anthology "On Enlightened Prime Minister, Christmas Carp, and Slovak Greta," a printed compilation of scientific articles featured in a section dedicated to science and research within a digital daily news platform.

In 2022, Eva Rutseková achieved the remarkable feat of securing the 3rd position in the Falling Walls Lab Slovakia, showcasing her commitment to her academic and scientific endeavors.

Jozef Kristek is an Associate Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. Additionally, he serves as the Head of the Physics Section and is a member of the Scientific Council of the Faculty. He is also a researcher at the Earth Science Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

He pursued his Physics studies at Comenius University in Bratislava from 1988 to 1993, completing his PhD in Seismology in 2002 under the supervision ofProf. Peter Moczo. In 2021, he attained the highest scientific degree, DrSc. (Doctor of Sciences), in Geophysics.

Throughout his research career, Professor Kristek has dedicated his efforts to advancing finite-difference modeling of seismic wave propagation and earthquake motion in rheologically and structurally complex media. He has also made significant contributions to the numerical modeling of site effects of earthquakes.

Professor Kristek co-authored the monograph "The Finite-Difference Modelling of Earthquake Motions: Waves and Ruptures," published by Cambridge University Press in 2014. His scientific achievements have been acknowledged with awards from the Minister of Education and Science.

Martin Galis is an Associate Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. He is also a researcher at the Earth Science Institute of the

Prologue.- Interesting But Naive.- Earthquakes - a Short introduction for almost everybody.- Lisbon November 1, 1755 - awakening.- From Naive Views to Modern Science.- San Francisco 1906 - USA versus Earthquakes.- Chile 1960 - when the Earth Rings Like a Bell.- Incredible Mexico 1985 - Destruction at a Distance.- Ancient Witnesses of Medieval Earthquakes.- Apocalyptic Tsunamis in Sumatra and Japan.- Turkey - Tragic Surprises and Tense Anticipation.- An optimistic View in the End - Seismometers on the Moon and Mars.- Earthquakes and Seismology of the Future.- Small Earthquake Dictionary.- References.