1.
1934 Nepal-Bihar Earthquake
• Date: January 15, 1934
• Magnitude: 8.0
• Epicenter: Near Nepal-India
Historical border, Bihar region
• Affected Areas: Nepal, Kathmandu
Valley, Northern Bihar
Earthquake • Causes: Stress release along Main
Himalayan Thrust fault
s
• Aftershocks: Numerous,
complicating recovery
• Response and Recovery: Local and
regional efforts
• Historical Impact: Impacted urban
planning, construction practices,
seismic risk awareness, and
research
• Cultural Significance: Destroyed
cultural and historical landmarks,
altering architectural landscapes.
1988 Nepal
Earthquake
• Date: September 20, 1988
• Magnitude: 6.6
• Epicenter: Udayapur, eastern Nepal
• Affected Areas: Udayapur District, Sindhuli,
Dhankuta, Kathmandu Valley
• Casualties: 1,300 people
• Injuries: Thousands, many requiring medical
assistance
• Infrastructure Damage: Significant destruction
of buildings, homes, schools, health facilities
• Geological Context: Caused by tectonic activity
related to Indian Plate-Eurasian Plate collision
• Aftershocks: Several strong aftershocks
contributed to damage and casualties
• Response and Recovery: Local communities and
government agencies responded
• Long-term Impact: Discussions led to changes in
building codes
• Cultural Significance: Impacted many historical
and cultural sites
• Reminder of seismic risks in the Himalayas.
Geological
Context
•The Himalayas are young
mountains formed by the
collision of tectonic plates,
leading to high seismic
activity.
•The Main Himalayan
Thrust (MHT) is the
primary fault line along
which the Indian plate
subducts beneath the
Eurasian plate, making the
region particularly prone to
large earthquakes.
Monitoring •Nepal has improved its earthquake monitoring systems post-
2015, but challenges remain in building resilience, public
and awareness, and disaster preparedness.
Preparedne •Organizations like the Nepal Seismological Center and
international agencies monitor seismic activity and work on
ss disaster risk reduction strategies
Current Situation
•As of now, while no major earthquake
has struck since 2015, smaller tremors
continue to occur, reminding residents
of the region's seismic risk. The threat
of future large earthquakes remains a
concern for seismologists and disaster
management authorities.
