Gorkha, Nepal Earthquake 2015 Flashcards
background info
two 7-8 Mw earthquakes every 40 yrs
situated in middle of collision zone
geological structure of valleys in Nepal increase seismic risks as the depth of soft sediment reaches 600m, when seismic waves pass through they are amplified
geophysical info
7.8 Mv
epicentre 90km NE of Kathmandu
459 aftershocks in total
51 aftershocks = 5 Mw
5 aftershocks = above 6 Mw inc a 7.3 Mw shock in May 2015
many landslides caused
snow + ice avalanches caused inc on Everest
social impacts
8000 fatalities, 22,000 people injured in Nepal
UN estimated that 8 mill Nepalese affected in some way
160 deaths in other countries mainly India
avalanches on Everest killed 20 climbers
more than 2.8 mill people displaced from Kathmandu Valley
1 mill people needed food assistance
increased trafficking in women + girls
economic impacts
one of poorest countries, 2015 had economic damage
Mount Everest closed for climbing season -> tourism is 10% of GDP
govt lacked capital reserves -> asian development banks provided US$200 mill -> borrowing levels increased + debts
disrupted planting season ahead of monsoon -> LT impacts on food security
political impacts
unstable
assassinations + coups -> undermined progress towards peace + greater democracy
Indonesia sent military aircraft + personnel to operate them
