Using a smart device, investigate seismography apps that you can download for free. Then try using your device as a seismograph to record any tremors in your classroom or home. If your seismograph picks up any larger tremors, try to investigate why.
3.5 Economic and Social Impacts of Earthquakes in Nepal and Chile
Earthquakes can cause great damage and loss of life in the regions where they strike. The structural damage, economic loss and numbers injured or killed can depend greatly on whether the country affected is wealthy and more economically developed or poorer and less economically developed.
We will examine the impacts of earthquakes in Chile and in Nepal. Chile is considered to be more economically developed than Nepal.
Case Study: Nepal Earthquake, 2015
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Nepal. Nepal is a developing country, which means it has less money and fewer resources to prepare and plan for the potential damage caused by earthquakes.
Date of earthquake 25 April 2015 Magnitude Location
Aftershocks
7.8 on the moment magnitude scale The epicentre was located about 80 km away from Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu.
Earthquake depth The earthquake was close to the surface – the focus was only 15 km below ground. The closer an earthquake is to the surface, the more damage it tends to cause.
Two very large aftershocks occurred within an hour of the main earthquake. They measured 6.6 and 6.7 on the moment magnitude scale.