Nepal earthquake 2015

• • 25th April 2015
  • 7.8 magnitude
  • Nepal is a LIDC
  • Epicentre 50km NW of Kathmandu (capital)
  • Shallow focus (9 miles deep)
  • Second EQ 7.5 on 12th May
  • Aftershock was 6.7
• Causes

  1. Convection currents push plates against each other (collision of Indian & Eurasian plate)
  2. Pressure builds up
  3. Plates jerk past each other
  4. Energy released as seismic waves
• Social impacts

  • 9000 killed & 20,000 injured= many died from injuries= stress on health facilities= shortage of medical facilities
  • 600,000 homes destroyed= makeshift conditions= poor sanitation= lack insulaton in winter
• Nepalese government response

  • $10 billion= rebuild town

  ‘Cash for work’ = rebuild community= help people financially

  • Government criticised for slow response in rural areas
• Economic impacts

  • $10 billion from government= Nepal is a LIDC
  • Tourism decreased= less economic growth= certain tourist based businesses suffer
• Environmental impacts

  • >500 landslides= destroyed mountain roads= cut off rural areas
  • Aftershocks= Mt Everest avalanche= 19 killed
• Indias response

  • 10 tonnes of blankets
  • 50 tonnes of water
  • 22 tonnes of food
  • 2 tonnes of medical supplies
  • Airports were shut= were delayed
• Nepal had poorly constructed buildings= lack steel enforcements & adequate foundation= heavy bricks deadly= whole villages collapsed
• Seismic retrofitting

  • EQ proof houses
  • Shock absorbers absorb impact
  • Dampers counteracts sway of building
  • Reduces damage of building= save money
  • Nepal retrofitted hospitals= still running during EQ= casualties treated= reduced death
  • But is very expensive & is unlikely
• Early warning systems

  • Give 10-22 secs warning if EQ
  • Alerts through phones and radios
  • gives time to evacuate/get to safe place
  • Reduce number of deaths/ injuries= reduce medical cost
  • But not everyone has access to mobile phones (LIDC) so sirens are used instead in schools and hospitals