GH: Nepal Earthquake Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the location of the earthquake
A
- A country between the borders of NE India and China
- Close to the Himalayan mountain range
- Epicentre was NW of Kathmandu and midpoint between Kathmandu and Pokhara (83.5km)
2
Q
What were the main causes of the earthquake?
A
- Collision plate boundary between Eurasian and Indian plates - move 2cm per year, creates fold mountains, great pressure so rocks crumple
- Focus was 15km under surface (shallow) - epicentre in Gorkha
- Crust moved 3m in some places
- 7.9 on the Richter scale
3
Q
What were the social impacts of the earthquake?
A
- Earthquake trigged and avalanche on Mount Everest, killing 21
- Steep valley suffered many landslides - village of Ghodatabela was covered killing 250
- 1.7 million children had been driven out in the open
- Thousands of houses destroyed across many districts - homelessness of many, village flattened
4
Q
What were the environmental impacts of the earthquake?
A
- Aftershocks through Nepal in intervals of 15-20 mins (one was 6.7 Richter Scale)
- Vegetation smothered in snow
- Wildlife habitats affected - animals killed in avalanche
- Landslides deform land
5
Q
What were the economic impacts of the earthquake?
A
- Towers collapsed in Kathmandu (Dharaharu tower)
- Walls tumbled + large cracks opened in them
- Wrecked houses
- Countries old buildings destroyed at UNESCO World Heritage sites (Kathmandu Valley + Durbar Square)
- Tribhuvan International airport closed
- Short term loss of tourist revenue - major industry in Nepal
- Harvest reduced - less crops to trade etc.
- U.S. Geological Survey initially estimated economic losses at 9-50% of GDP
6
Q
How did they respond to the earthquake in Kathmandu?
A
- Oxfam set up women’s centres for 250 women in each local area to offer group counselling for vulnerable people
- Mental health important - help women feel safer + protected, live happier life after earthquake
- A lot of them set up & free of cost- very accessible
- However, no counselling for men
- Counselling may have taken a long time - long process especially for all the people
- May not be enough to overcome trauma
7
Q
How did they respond to the earthquake in Nuwakdt?
A
- Winter and shelter kit distribution for the homeless - given out equally from a school for 807 people
- Supports community
- Help women + children survive cold weather - sensitive + more likely to get pneumonia, frostbite, etc
- However, not everyone gets on - not a lot available, hard to acess one from the school, dangerous for people who were desperate
8
Q
How did they respond to the earthquake in Gorkha?
A
- Taking part in a cash to work scheme to rebuild a trail
- Connects 2 villages, health centre and local market
- Provides access to 1140 homes & other helpful facilities
- Provides employment to unskilled/semi-skilled workers - pumps economy
- Restores destroyed land - less dangerous to travel
- 153 people, 510 rupees per day
- However, only a 5km trail, doesn’t cover larger area
9
Q
How did they respond the the earthquake in Sindlapachowk?
A
- Oxfam distrusted vouchers worth 2000 rupees to 5000 people
- Helped rebuild local economy - store owners/ local traders back in business
- Supported people to rebuild kitchens, gardens and farms
- Allows those who don’t have enough money to gain access to essentials
- Boosts morale - families become excited
- However, earning money should not be top priority, safety + nutrition more important
- Many more than 5,000 people in different areas need money which means it wasn’t distrusted far
10
Q
How did they respond to the earthquake in Dachi Nkali?
A
- Women dug out a new field irrigation channel in place of a destroyed on as part of a cash for work scheme
- Allows habitants to have food/crops
- Makes money for the people in involved
- Restores previously destroyed field
- However, short term response, people may not have enough money to buy crops
