Case Study: The Nepal Earthquake in 2015

• What was the magnitude of this earthquake and what type was it?

  A shallow focus earthquake of magnitude 7.9
• Background

  • Nepal is a low-income country. The lack of resources had an impact on both the effects and the response to the earthquake  
  • Foreign aid was needed to support recovery  
  • The effects were more severe because many people lived in poor quality houses 
  • The earthquake was caused by the collision of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates 
• Primary effects

  • The primary effects of the Nepal earthquake in 2015 include: 
  • 9,000 people were killed  
  • There was US$5 billion of damage 
• Secondary effects

  • Secondary effects of the Nepal earthquake in 2015 included:
  • Flooding and damage to roads from landslides
  • An avalanche on Mount Everest which killed 19 people
• Responses to the earthquake  

  • Immediate responses included: 
  • Overseas aid from NGOs (non-governmental organisations) such as Oxfam 
  • 300,000 left the capital city (Kathmandu) 
  • Long term responses included: 
  • An international conference to appeal for funding