Seismic Case Study: Gorkha

Question 1

Name my detailed earthquake case study

Answer 1

Gorkha earthquake, Nepal, 2015

Question 2

At what type of plate boundary did the Gorkha earthquake occur?

Answer 2

Destructive.

Eurasian plate subducts under Indian plate at 4-5cm per year.

Question 3

Name the mountain range created at the boundary between Eurasian and Indian plate

Answer 3

Himalayas

Question 4

Are large earthquakes common in Nepal?

Answer 4

No.

There are frequent minor quakes that release the energy in small amounts.

Question 5

What magnitude was the Gorkha earthquake, 2015?

Answer 5

7.8 mag.

Question 6

Where was the epicentre of the Gorkha earthquake, 2015? Why is this significant?

Answer 6

77km northwest of the capital, Kathmandu.

The population of Kathmandu was 2.8 million at the time.

Question 7

How deep was the focus?

Answer 7

15km underground

Question 8

Which countries were affected by the Gorkha earthquake?

Answer 8

Nepal
India
China
Bangladesh

Question 9

How many people were killed?

Answer 9

9000 deaths

Question 10

How many people were injured?

Answer 10

22,000 injured

Question 11

How many people were forced to leave their homes?

Answer 11

2.8 million displaced

Question 12

How many buildings were damaged / destroyed in Kathmandu and its surroundings?

Answer 12

600,000 buildings damaged/destroyed

Question 13

What was the cost of the initial damage?

Answer 13

$5 - $10 billion damage cost

Question 14

What were the secondary impacts of the Gorkha earthquake?

Answer 14

Landslide
Avalanche
Aftershocks

Question 15

Where was the avalanche triggered?

Answer 15

Mount Everest

Question 16

What did the avalanche on Mount Everest cause?

Answer 16

19 climbers died.

Hundreds more were stranded

Question 17

How many aftershocks occurred the next day? What were their magnitudes?

Answer 17

Two aftershocks.

Mag 6.6 and 6.7

Question 18

There was another aftershock a month later.
Location?
Magnitude?
Death toll?
Injured?

Answer 18

76km northeast of Kathmandu.
Magnitude 7.3.
>100 people killed.
1,900 injured.

Question 19

Give the social risks facing seismically active areas

Answer 19

• Building collapse -> deaths/injuries affect quality of life and ability to work.
• Destroyed homes -> homelessness.
• Damaged infrastructure -> people may be cut off and unable to reach a safe place.
• Destruction of heritage sites -> loss of tradition/culture.
Eg Dharahara Tower and Basantapur Tower, Kathmandu were destroyed in Gorkha e.quake.
• Burst water pipes -> contaminate water.
• Disease.
• Nepal’s landslides -> blocked roads which delayed rescue efforts.

Question 20

Give the economic risks facing seismically active areas

Answer 20

• High damage costs.
Eg as much as $10 billion due to Gorkha = almost half of Nepal’s GDP.
• Injury/loss of livelihood -> people are unable to work -> loss of income.
• In coastal areas tsunamis may occur -> more destruction.

Question 21

Give the environmental risks facing seismically active areas

Answer 21

• Built landscape destroyed.
• Important natural / human landmarks may be lost.
• Gas pipe explosions -> fires that damage woodland.
• Landslides due to unstable ground.
Eg several landslides and rock fall in mountainous areas of Nepal -> blocked roads.
• Tsunamis may occur.

Question 22

How did Nepal respond to the Gorkha earthquake?

Answer 22

Declared state of emergency.
Nepalese army assisted in rescue / clear up.
Government asked for international aid.
‘Tent cities’ were created due to large scale homelessness.

Question 23

How did the UN respond to the Gorkha earthquake?

Answer 23

UN created “Nepal Earthquake 2015 Flash Appeal” fund.

Raised $330 million in two weeks.

Question 24

How did the UK respond to the Gorkha earthquake?

Answer 24

British organisation: Search And Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID).
Sent a team of experts with 1.5 tonnes of specialist equipment for cutting through concrete and steel.
They also brought own tents and food, so as not to drain local resources.

Question 25

How was technology used to aid with relief efforts?

Answer 25

‘Crisis mapping’ and ‘crowd sourced’ data collection allowed the analysis of large quantities of data -> identify where to send most aid to.

Facebook ‘Safety check’ and Google ‘Person finder’ -> people could “check-in” as safe / locate missing people online.

Question 26

Give an example of an organisation that helps to prepare people for earthquakes in Nepal

Answer 26

Nepal Red Cross Society works in 66 communities…

• teach people how to identify local hazards and risks.
• train emergency responders in first aid and search and rescue.
• develop community disaster plans.

Question 27

Earthquake damage investigations were carried out 6-11 days after the Gorkha earthquake.
What did the results show?

Answer 27

Buildings made of stone / brick, with no consideration of seismic resistance were damaged the most.
Reinforced concrete buildings were largely undamaged.

-> importance of earthquake-proof structural design.

Question 28

How did the Nepal Red Cross Society help with the Gorkha earthquake?

Answer 28

8000 staff and volunteers.
Carried out evacuations, first aid, search and rescue.
Provided relief items and emotional support to affected people.
Cash grants to >50,000 families who lost homes / businesses.