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Nepal Earthquake
Why in the news?
Nepal Earthquake: Death Toll Rises to 140, Communication Disrupted, Aftershocks Continue.
- Death Toll Climbs: The earthquake that struck western Nepal has led to a tragic death toll of 140 people, as confirmed by the Prime Minister’s secretariat
- Persistent Aftershocks: The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center has documented roughly 159 aftershocks in the wake of the initial earthquake. These ongoing aftershocks contribute to the challenges of the situation.
- Magnitude and Epicentre: The earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter Scale. Its epicentre was located within Nepal, at a depth of 10 km, near the western temple town of Jumla.
- Impact Beyond Nepal: While the epicentre was in Nepal, the earthquake’s tremors were felt in neighboring regions. It reached as far as Delhi and northern India, leading to people evacuating their homes late at night.
- Previous Seismic Activity: This is the second significant earthquake in Nepal in the past month. On October 2, a quake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck the region.
Reasons of frequent Earthquakes in the Nepal region
- Tectonic Plate Collision: Nepal is located in a seismically active zone due to the collision of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The continuous convergence of these plates generates intense geological pressures.
- Himalayan Region: The Himalayas, which traverse Nepal, are still growing. The immense tectonic forces driving the upward movement of these mountains lead to earthquakes.
- Major Fault Lines: The country is crisscrossed by major fault lines, including the Main Frontal Thrust and the Main Central Thrust. The shifting of tectonic plates along these faults triggers earthquakes.
