Geography - Case Study: Nepal 2015 Earthquake

Nepal: Date, Magnitude & Depth

Date 25th Apr 2015
Magnitude 7.8 on Richter scale
Focus depth: 15km (shallow)

Epicentre & Plate Boundary

Epicentre: 80km northwest of Kathmandu, Collision (Convergent) Boundary

Primary Social Impacts

8.8k killed, 22k injured, 3 mill homeless, Villages flattened & Overwhelmed hospitals

Primary Infrastructure & Impacts

500k homes destroyed, 7k schools collapsed, Historic buildings damaged, roads/airports cut off, water & electricity distruped

Secondary Social Impacts

Avalanches killed 19 people, Landslides isolated villages and delayed aid, Mental health issue & long-term trauma

Secondary Impact on Property & Economy

Tourism fell by 90%. Farmlands destroyed = Food shortages, Reconstruction of $5 billion

Short term Immediate Responses

International aid, Rescue teams from China, UK & India, NGOS/UN provided temporary shelters,tents,food,water & medical supplies
Helicopter used to reach isolated villages

Long-Term Responses

Post-Disaster assessed launched to guide rebuilding, 700k+ homes rebuilt using safer, earthquake-resistant buidlings
Roads,schools & temples repaired with $214 million forgein aid from the UK
Nepal Tourism Campaign

Predictions & Managment Strategies

No accurate Predictions, Seismometers record movement but is limited (LIC)

Preparation Pre-Earthquake

Very few trained emergency services. Little public info or awareness on what to do during an earthquake

Preparation Post-Earthquake

Worked with UN & Japan to improve hazard mapping & community training, Better construction & Programmes

Emergency Services & Training Updates

Emergency drills & training are more common in schools and offices, Government developing better communication & alert systems

Environmental Impacts (Lands & Forest)

Triggered 2.78k+ major landscapes altering landscapes
Deforestation: Landslides directly destroyed and flattened local forest cover

Environmental Impacts (Water & Ecosystems)

River Blockage: Landslides dumped massive amounts of Sediment into Fresh water ecosystems
Water flow: Underground water paths shifted, existing springs dried up and brand new water pipes burst