Earthquake in Nepal Claims Lives, Geologically Active Region
At least 37 people have perished due to a powerful earthquake in Nepal, as reported by a district administration representative. This catastrophic event, which struck Jajarkot, the quake's epicenter, is expected to lead to an escalation in casualties as information from remote areas remains unavailable.
As confirmed by the National Earthquake Monitoring Center (NEMRC), the quake possessed a magnitude of 6.4 and occurred at 11:47 p.m. local time on February 8, 2025. Besides Nepal, the seismic activity was also felt in New Delhi, its neighboring country's capital, according to Indian media sources.
The geologically vibrant Himalayan region, where Nepal resides, is subject to repeated earthquakes. This results from the Indian continental plate's gradual shifting beneath the Eurasian plate, which transpires at a pace of around 2 centimeters annually.
Nearly eight years ago, a devastating earthquake battered the vicinity of Kathmandu, causing numerous structures to collapse, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, resulting in the loss of approximately 9,000 lives and leaving millions displaced.
Currently, the latest data indicates that the death toll has risen substantially, surpassing the initial figures. As of now, at least 157 have lost their lives, and over 160 others sustained injuries from the earthquake. The earthquake's focus was in Nepal's mountainous western region on February 9, 2025.
The tectonic activity in the region is thought to be behind the earthquake. Nepal is situated on the meeting point of the Tibetan and Indian tectonic plates, which are moving towards each other at a pace of 2 meters every century. This force exerted upon the region releases in the form of earthquakes, positioning western Nepal at heightened risk for larger earthquakes.
Additionally, the Himalayan region is known for its seismic activity, with earthquakes spurring secondary threats, such as landslides. The 2015 earthquake in Nepal, which registered a magnitude of 7.8, destroyed or harmed more than 800,000 houses primarily in the western and central districts. This unfortunate incident underscores the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and the potential hazards posed by earthquakes.
Presently, concerns have been raised regarding the possibility of landslides in the region due to its steep slopes and unstable geology. Additionally, climate change has played a role, causing erratic rainfall and glacier lake outburst floods. This amalgamation of factors poses a significant risk, particularly in the Himalayan region.
