Vantage | What is causing Nepal's deadly earthquakes?

Nepal, India’s neighbouring country, is once again grappling with the devastating impact of a powerful earthquake. The latest earthquake, which struck Western Nepal, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, has brought immense destruction to the region. This unfortunate event has left scores of people dead, many more homeless and hundreds of houses in ruins. The nightmare continues as aftershocks continue to rock the nation. This is not the first time Nepal has faced such a catastrophe, as the country has witnessed seven deadly earthquakes in the last eight years, the most devastating of which occurred in 2015, claiming over 9,000 lives.

The recent earthquake

The earthquake that recently struck Western Nepal, particularly in the Jajarkot District, located about 400 kilometres from the capital, Kathmandu, has had a profound impact on the region. This area is characterised by its rugged, mountainous terrain and sparse population, making it difficult to access, especially after landslides triggered by the earthquake isolated many of the remote settlements. The lack of connectivity and accessibility has hindered rescue efforts, potentially causing the death toll, which currently stands at about 150, to rise in the coming days. Over 180 people are reported as injured and this number may increase if rescue operations continue to be delayed.

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“Our village has been totally destroyed. Our situation has become so bad that we do not even have anything left to eat. Whatever food we had is buried underneath the rubble of our fallen house. Someone else gave us some rice, a little oil and some salt out of which we made a stew last night and ate that. I am injured too, and others in the family also have some injuries,” said Samjhana Bika, an earthquake survivor.

Aftershocks, including one measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale, continue to rattle Nepal. These aftershocks add to the ongoing challenges faced by the affected population. The latest aftershock could even be felt as far away as India’s capital, New Delhi, located approximately 800 kilometres from the epicentre of the recent earthquakes. This event serves as another reminder of the seismic vulnerability that Nepal faces due to its geographical location.

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Understanding Nepal’s earthquake vulnerability

Nepal is no stranger to earthquakes, given its location within the Himalayan region, a highly seismic zone. The geological processes that led to the formation of the Himalayan mountain range are closely linked to the occurrence of earthquakes. To grasp this, a brief geography lesson is in order.

The Earth’s outermost layer, known as the crust, is composed of tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-liquid mantle beneath and their movement is driven by currents in the molten rock. These tectonic plates often collide or interact with each other due to the mantle’s flow resulting in increased pressure. This pressure eventually releases in the form of earthquakes. The Himalayan range, one of the most prominent mountain ranges globally, continues to grow each year due to the ongoing collision of tectonic plates, generating immense pressure that leads to destructive earthquakes.

The recent earthquake in Nepal serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle the country faces due to its seismic vulnerability. The Himalayan region’s geological processes have created an environment where earthquakes are an unfortunate reality. While the government and international organisations are making efforts to provide assistance to those affected, the remote and mountainous terrain of Western Nepal poses significant challenges to relief operations. The people of Nepal, who have already endured multiple deadly earthquakes in recent years, need continued support and assistance to recover from this latest disaster. As we reflect on this tragic event, it’s essential to appreciate the resilience of the Nepali people and to recognise the need for sustained efforts to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes in this region.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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