Nepal Earthquakes

Question 1

What was the magnitude of the Earthquake

Answer 1

7.9 on the Richter scale

Question 2

What was the Earthquake caused by

Answer 2

The earthquake was caused by the collision of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates.

Question 3

What were the primary effects

Answer 3

9,000 people were killed.

There was US$5 billion of damage.

Question 4

What were the secondary effects

Answer 4

Flooding and damage to roads from landslides.

An avalanche on Mount Everest which killed 19 people.

Question 5

What were the immediate responses

Answer 5

Overseas aid from NGOs (non-governmental organisations) such as Oxfam.
300,000 people left the capital city (Kathmandu).

Question 6

What were the long-term responses

Answer 6

An international conference to appeal for funding.

Question 7

Features of earthquake proof buildings

Answer 7

cross-bracing, automatic window shutters, fire-resistant materials, and shock absorbers.
E.g. the Taipei 101 building has a huge mass damper that reduces the strain on the building.
Automatic switches can turn off electricity and gas pipes to help reduce the chance of fires.