Search for survivors within the rubble of a collapsed structure in Kathmandu, following a powerful 7.8 earthquake on April 25.
On Saturday, April 25, 2015, a powerful earthquake struck Nepal, causing widespread destruction and tragic losses. The earthquake occurred at 11:41 a.m. local time (05:51 GMT) and was centered 48 miles northwest of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, at an estimated depth of 9.3 miles (15 kilometers).
The earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.8, was the latest in a series of seismic events that have plagued the region for centuries. The Great Himalaya, where the earthquake occurred, has been the subject of seismic activity measurements by the German GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) in cooperation with Nepalese colleagues.
The earthquake's impact was immediate and devastating. Thousands of buildings were destroyed, historic temples were severely damaged, and thousands of casualties were reported. According to official reports, at least 5,000 people have been declared dead, with additional casualties in India and China.
Avalanches were reported on Mount Everest as a result of the shaking, with at least 18 deaths reported at base camp. Climber Arjun Vajpai posted a video on Facebook reporting avalanches at his site at Mount Makalu, southeast of Mount Everest.
Kathmandu, located in one of the most seismically hazardous regions on Earth, was particularly hard-hit. The city has a history of big earthquakes, having experienced four quakes above magnitude 6 in the past century. In 1934, an 8.1 earthquake severely damaged Kathmandu and killed 10,600. A magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred in August 1988, killing nearly 1,500 people.
The earthquake on April 25, 2015, was caused by a sudden thrust along the major fault line where the plate carrying India is slowly diving underneath the one carrying much of Europe and Asia. Both shallow and deep earthquakes have been observed in the region, thanks to its high level of geologic activity.
After the main quake, some 14 aftershocks were felt by local people, with one reaching a magnitude of up to 6.6, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The two massive plates are colliding at a rate of about 1.7 inches (45 millimeters) a year, pushing up the Himalaya mountain range in the process.
The region has a history of big earthquakes, having experienced four quakes above magnitude 6 in the past century. The largest quake in the region measured by instruments was a magnitude 8.6 event in 1950, centered in Assam, India.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, aid organisations and governments around the world have pledged support to Nepal in its recovery efforts. The international community is working together to provide much-needed aid and support to those affected by the disaster.
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