In La Jolla, Calif., Shake and Quake

Families will find that the show is kid-friendly, as it includes numerous interactive displays aimed at children. "It was designed to be entertaining as well as educational. . . . It's fitting in a lot of information in a theatrical way," says Birch director Nigella Hillgarth. The aquarium consulted teachers so that the exhibit centers on facts but downplays the frightful--hence, a photo of a car hanging from a broken freeway was not included.

Children as young as 3 years of age can navigate the show. I saw preschoolers construct buildings with foam blocks, then try to destroy them. Others rearranged a giant foam floor puzzle of tectonic plates, and some pulled a giant Slinky to simulate the motion of "S" waves, which move side to side.

The hands-down favorite activity for the young (and old, for that matter): "Can You Register on the Richter?" The word "JUMP!" in big letters on a rug invites visitors to make their own earthquake, which is recorded by a seismometer. And, yes, 130 pounds registers.

Nothing stresses the unpredictability of earthquakes -- and their dire consequences -- more than the hypnotic "magic planet," a globe that dramatically reminds visitors of Earth's restless nature. Using data from seismic monitor sensors and satellites operated by Scripps, a projector displays moving images on the inside of the globe to simulate what happened to the planet's crust and inner core on Dec. 26. It shows how Earth's tectonic plates shifted, lifting the ocean, then settled into new positions.

Scripps receives seismic data from more than 1,000 stations worldwide in real-time imagery by satellite--something that couldn't be done even five years ago. And only in the past 30 years have scientists discovered that earthquakes happen much more frequently than people imagined. Scripps sometimes coordinates research with other institutions and organizations, such as the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

But for all the advances in monitoring activity within Earth, there is still the element of surprise. Says John Orcutt, deputy director of research at Scripps, "You just can't predict earthquakes at this stage, and it may never be possible."

-- Sue Kovach Shuman

"Earthquake! Life on a Restless Planet" runs through Oct. 31 at the Birch Aquarium (2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, Calif.). Admission is $10 adults, $6.50 ages 3-17, free for 2 and under. Details: 858-534-FISH (3474) ,http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu.