History of Earthquake in Nepal

Earthquake is not new in Nepal. Every now and then, Kathmandu is hit by the massive and destructive earthquake. Kathmandu is also one of the cities around the world that lies in the seismic zone. There were several records of earthquake that has hit Nepal and caused huge damage to both human life and property. The massive earthquake that was occurred in 1934 was of 8.4 Richer, more powerful and deadliest than the recent earthquake on 25th of April, 2015. During that massive earthquake, it has destroyed many cultural and historical heritages such as Dharahara (which has been completely destroyed in recent earthquake), Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and many such places which are important from both cultural and historical points of view. Those places were rebuilt after the shocking disasters.

The first earthquake ever recorded in the history of Nepal was on June 7, 1255. The earthquake was of 7.7 Richter scale.1934 wasn't even the worst earthquake Kathmandu has suffered. In 1255, one third of the population of Kathmandu (30,000 people, including King Abhaya Malla) were killed when the valley suffered a direct hit with an epicentre right below the city. The destructive earthquake has always given the terror to human lives from ancient period of time till these days and will threaten Nepal in near future too. There is still the prediction that the big earthquake might hit Nepal once again as the recent earthquake of 25th April has shifted the Kathmandu valley ten feet towards south and the valley might get hit again by another big quake to be in its normal state.

Nepal has been the victim of earthquake since ancient time of history, and it has not only affected the lives of the people but it has destroyed and damaged many of ours ancient historical and cultural heritages. These are the main assets to attract the tourist in the country and if they start vanishing due to the effects of earthquake time after time then someday there might be the possibility that the cultural and historical heritages sites that have been protected might lose its value due to new renovations.

History of major earthquakes that hit Nepal:

1255 AD (1310 BS)

During the first recorded earthquake of June 7, 1255 AD (1310 BS) nearly one third of the total population of Kathmandu were killed. The earthquake magnitude is believed to be around 7.7 in Richter scale which also killed the King of Kathmandu valley, Abahya Malla.

1833 AD (1890 BS)

Two major earthquake hit Kathmandu valley, in the months of August or September of 1833 AD (1890 BS).The tallest building in the valley Dharawa, was also severely damaged. There were two major shocks, first shock was felt around 6 pm and the second one was around 11 pm in the night. Many houses, temples, and public shelters had collapsed during the earthquake. Destructions were more on Thimi and Bhaktapur. It was reported that 4214 houses were collapsed  & 18000 houses were reported to have collapsed in Kathmandu Valley.

1990 BS (16 January, 1934 AD)

The deadliest earthquake recorded in the history of Nepal occured during Magh of 1990 BS (16 January, 1934 AD). The earthquake occurred at around 2pm is also known as Great Nepal Bihar Earthquake. The magnitude earthquake was 8.4 Richter scale which  killed 8519 people, destroyed 80893 buildings and severely damaged 126355 more houses. Almost all the buildings of collapsed three major towns of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan.  Several roads were damaged & Large cracks appeared in the ground in Kathmandu; however, the temple of Pashupatinath, the guardian deity of Nepal, escaped any damage.

April 25, 2015 (Baishak 12, 2072) 

Strength: 7.8 on the Richter scale.

Epicenter:  East of Gorkha District at Barpak, Gorkha.

Aftershocks:  The initial shock registered a moment magnitude of 7.8 Richter scale. There were two major aftershocks, with magnitudes 6.6 and 6.7,  several dozen smaller aftershocks occurred in the region during the succeeding days.

Death toll: Around 9000, including around 150 people who were killed during the May 12 quake.

On 25 April 2015, an earthquake measuring 7.8  on the Richter scale hit central Nepal. It killed over 9,000, injured 23,000 and  600,000 structures in Kathmandu and other nearby towns were either damaged or destroyed. In addition, the avalanche on Mount Everest killed at least 19 climbers and stranded hundreds more at Everest Base Camp and at camps higher up the mountain. There was another huge avalanche in the Langtang valley, where 250 people were reported missing.