Why Are Earthquakes Happening In Nepal: How Much Risk Is There Nepal is experiencing frequent earthquakes. A magnitude 7 earthquake with its epicentre in China was felt on Tuesday morning. However, the risk in Nepal does not appear to be decreasing.
The Himalayan region stretches for about 2,500 kilometres from Afghanistan in the west to Burma in the east. Of this, about 800 kilometres, or one-third, falls in Nepal. Nepal is at risk of earthquakes due to the collision between the ‘tectonic plates’ and the accumulation of energy, says Dr Shiva Subedi, a seismologist at the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).
The earthquake that hit Nepal with its epicentre in China was not felt in Nepal due to the collision and energy storage, but rather due to its ‘movement’. Nepal is at risk of earthquakes due to the collision and energy storage between ‘tectonic plates’.
Western Nepal ‘has not had a major earthquake in 500 years’
Experts say that western Nepal has not had a major earthquake in 500 years. This means that there is a large amount of seismic energy stored underground there. Mustang has a history of an earthquake of magnitude 8 on June 6, 1505. Experts consider it the largest earthquake ever recorded in Nepali history. Its strength is estimated to be between 8.2 and 8.8 magnitude.
Asked whether the earthquake in China has reduced the risk of earthquakes in Nepal, she told Ratopati, “The earthquake in China occurred on the Tibetan plate. The earthquake that will reach us is in the collision zone between the Tibetan and Indian plates. This will cause an earthquake in Nepal.”
The earthquake in China does not reduce the energy stored in Nepal. Nepal appears to be at risk of earthquakes due to the energy stored. Jha says that this risk has not been removed.
According to Jha, if we consider Gorkha as a point, there has not been a major earthquake in 518 years from there through western Nepal to Dehradun. Deputy Director General Jha says, ‘This means that the area has the potential to experience a thousand 6-magnitude earthquakes and 2,500 7-magnitude earthquakes.’
Thousands of aftershocks of a major earthquake
When a major earthquake occurs, thousands of aftershocks occur. On April 12, 2072, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake occurred with Barpak in Gorkha as its epicenter.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake occurred with Chainpur in Bajhang as its epicentre on Asoj 16 last year. A 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred in Jajarkot a month later on Saturday, Kartik 18 last year. Several aftershocks of these earthquakes have already occurred.
Earthquakes have been occurring continuously in western Nepal for some time now. The strength of each earthquake is seen to be around four magnitudes. These are aftershocks of the same earthquake. Experts say that there have been more than 55,000 such aftershocks.
Deputy Director General Jha says that 30 to 40 thousand aftershocks can be generated from a magnitude 7 earthquake with the epicentre in China. ‘More than 70 aftershocks have occurred from the earthquake in China,’ she says, ‘12 aftershocks above magnitude 4 have occurred. We have felt them in Solukhumbu. When an earthquake of magnitude 7 occurs, 30 to 40 thousand aftershocks occur.’
How to protect yourself?
Since the country itself is at risk of earthquakes, the experts suggest that individuals should be alert in a way that they can protect themselves and their families. Seismologist Dr. Subedi suggests that if you keep yourself alert, human losses will be reduced.
‘You should have prepared in advance to protect yourself,’ he says, ‘an earthquake can strike at any time. I had to think about what I would do to save myself and my family. I had to inform you in advance about open areas and exits. If we do this, we can at least reduce human losses.’
Experts say that the main way to avoid earthquakes is to improve physical infrastructure. Science cannot say when a major earthquake will occur. However, ‘Earthquake Early Warning’ technology is available in many countries. Subedi says that it should be introduced immediately.
Deputy Director General Jha says that all levels of government should be aware of earthquakes. She says, ‘The role of all levels of government and individuals is equal to prevent this. However, how to build a strong house? The local level should take more responsibility.’ She says that if the structure is strong, the damage will be reduced.
Quick bag preparation
A ‘quick bag’ preparation is a bag that contains useful materials in natural disasters. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has urged people to prepare a quick bag that can be carried immediately in case of an emergency such as an earthquake.
This bag should contain first aid supplies, essential medicines, water and water purification medicine. Food that does not spoil for a long time should be kept. Personal hygiene items should also be kept.
Money and essential items (radio, lighter, needle, thread, cloth, torchlight, rope, whistle) should be kept in this bag. These items should be checked from time to time. The authority’s officials urge that this bag be kept ready at a place where it can be found quickly and easily.
