This document is a heavily detailed case study of the Nepal 2015 Earthquake which appears in the Hazards topic of A-level geography. It contains extra contextual information which will help students reach an A*. It also includes example questions and answers.
NOTE: It can also be used by GCSE st...
5.4d Seismic hazard case study: Nepal 2015
Objective: to learn about the impacts and responses associated with one recent earthquake event
1. Describe the spatial and temporal setting of the event.
Spatial setting:
● here / when did the event take place?
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● Where was the epicentre?
● Depth of focus?
● How large was the area affected?
● Include location maps and photos with relevant captions.
Temporal setting:
● D o earthquakes occur regularly in this area/country? When was the last one?
● What magnitude are they?
S patial Setting -The Nepal earthquake happened onthe 25th April 2015 with a magnitude of 7.8. The
epicentre 80km North-West of Kathmandu, the focus directly 15km deep underneath. The entire
Kathmandu valley and city of Kathmandu was affected, with the valley, which was closer to the epicentre
being raised 1m and the city being raised 80cm (0.8m).
T emporal Setting -Nepal is located at the boundaryof these two plates and therefore lies in a highly
active seismic region. It’s also the 11th most earthquake-prone country in the world. Therefore,
earthquakes are common in Nepal. 18th September 2011, was the previous high magnitude earthquake in
Nepal with a magnitude of 6.9.
. Describe and explain the association of the event to plate boundaries and plate movement.
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● hat plate boundary and which plates? Include map and useful diagrams
● How fast were they both moving?
● What was the magnitude and intensity? Why?
rocess -The earthquake occurred on a collision plateboundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates:
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The Indian plate was subjected under the overriding Eurasian plate which is what caused the rise in
ground level. As the plates moved over one another the movement thrusted through a fault running off of
the plate margin. Where the plates met a strain of energy built up which, when released, violently shook
the ground with its seismic energy. Hence, earthquake.
Speed of plates -The Indian plate was moving towardthe Eurasian plate at a speed of 45mm/yr.
. Assess the perception of the event, and the factors affecting those perceptions at a range of scales
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E.g. magnitude, frequency, population characteristics etc.
● Is the populationpreparedfor such events? How?
● How can the magnitude of this event change people’s perception of future events?
● How has/will the frequency of earthquakes in this area affect their perceptions?
● How do the population characteristics (e.g. dense/sparse, religion, culture, socio-economic status) affect their
beliefs? Do the local population practice the theory of adaptation or fatalism?
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