Several aftershocks are likely to hit the country in the coming week, experts at the US Geological Survey warn

Apr 27, 2015 07:21 GMT  ·  By

Over the weekend, the country of Nepal in Asia was hit by a major 7.8-magnitude earthquake. The shake struck at 06:11 a.m. UTC on Saturday, at a depth of just 15 kilometers (a little over 9 miles), and was felt well into Tibet and northern India. 

In the city of Kathmandu, located merely 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the earthquake's epicenter, dozens of buildings crumbled to the ground in a matter of minutes. The latest news says that the shake killed well over 3,000 people and injured many others.

How and why the earthquake occurred 

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal this past April 25 happened when the ground ruptured along the collision zone that sees the crustal plate supporting India crashing into and diving under the crust of central Asia.

According to specialists at the US Geological Survey, the plate carrying India moves under the crust of central Asia at a rate of about 4.5 centimeters (about 1.8 inches). The region is deemed one of the world's most seismically active and, consequently, dangerous.

“At the location of this earthquake, approximately 80 km to the northwest of the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, the India plate is converging with Eurasia at a rate of 45 mm/yr towards the north-northeast, driving the uplift of the Himalayan mountain range.”

“The preliminary location, size and focal mechanism of the April 25 earthquake are consistent with its occurrence on the main subduction thrust interface between the India and Eurasia plates,” detail experts with the US Geological Survey.

It is believed that Saturday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal was the end result of the breakage of a chunk of crust measuring roughly 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles) in length, Nature informs.

The quake triggered an avalanche on Everest

Following the 7.8-magnitude shake, a massive avalanche occurred on nearby Mount Everest. The cloud of snow and debris hit a base camp and left dozens of people stranded up the mountain.

Reports say that the avalanche resulted in the death of nearly 20 people, among them Google executive Dan Fredinburg, who was then scaling Everest together with two of his colleagues.

One of the climbers caught in the avalanche managed to film the cloud of snow and debris just as it was approaching the base camp. The footage, now making the rounds, is available below.

Understandably given the circumstances in which it was shot, the video contains a couple of swear words, so, should you decide to have a look at it, keep in mind that viewer discretion is advised.

Experts fear several aftershocks will follow

It is understood that, shortly after the 7.8-magnitude shake, Nepal was hit by a series of about 20 aftershocks, one of which had a magnitude of 6.6.

US Geological Survey specialists warn that, in the coming week, Nepal is likely to experience many other earthquakes. Specifically, it is said that 3 to 14 aftershocks with a magnitude greater than 5 are bound to hit the country over the next few days.

“Additionally, the US Geological Survey estimates that there is a 54% chance of a M≥6 aftershock, and a 7% chance of a M≥7 aftershock during this one-week period,” seismologists add.

These aftershocks that researchers warn will happen in the coming week are expected to be felt within a 200-kilometer (125-mile) radius of the epicenter of the initial 7.8 magnitude shake on April 25. Other aftershocks could keep happening for a year.

Efforts are underway to find survivors, save them

As mentioned, latest estimates say that the earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks killed well over 3,000 people. According to local authorities, it is possible that an even higher death toll will be reported in the days to come.

Since the earthquake struck fairly close to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital city, the damage done to local infrastructure was severe. Thus, witnesses say that the shake caused dozens of buildings to bend, twist and collapse to the ground.

Hoping to save as many people as possible, high officials in Nepal ordered the country's entire army to get involved in search and rescue operations. Meanwhile, crews are working on restoring communication with the damaged areas.

Interestingly, it looks like seismologists were well aware of the fact that a major earthquake could hit this region in Nepal, what with an increase in stress being documented along the crustal collision zone that led to Saturday's shake.

Nonetheless, this latest earthquake ended up wreaking havoc, simply because Nepal lacks resources to prepare for such events. “It’s not a problem of ignorance, it’s a problem of resources,” said specialist Susan Hough.

“People are building houses to live in with the resources that they have. They can’t afford rebar [reinforcing bars] and engineering,” the US Geological Survey researcher went on to explain.