Overview
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, situated in the Himalayan mountain range. It is home to about 29 million people, who are known for their rich culture, religious diversity, and natural beauty. However, Nepal is also one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and has experienced many devastating earthquakes throughout its history. Here is a timeline of some of the major earthquakes that have shaken Nepal and its neighboring countries.
List of Major Earthquakes in The History of Nepal:
| Date | Place | Time | Deaths | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1255-07-07 | Kathmandu | 2,200 | 7.8 | |
| 1260 | Sagarmatha | 100 | 7.1 | |
| 1344 | Mechi | 100 | 7.9 | |
| 1408-08 | Near Nepal-Tibet Border, Bagmati zone | 2,500 | 8.2 | |
| 1505-06-06 | Karnali zone | 6,000 | 8.9 | |
| 1681-01 | Northern Kosi zone | 4,500 | 8.0 | |
| 1767-07 | Northern Bagmati zone | 4,000 | 7.9 | |
| 1833-08-26 | Kathmandu, Bihar | 6,500 | 8.0 | |
| 1869-07-07 | Kathmandu | 750 | 6.5 | |
| 1916-08-28 | Nepal, Tibet | 06:39 | 3,500 | 7.7 |
| 1934-01-15 | Nepal, India | 08:43 | 10,700–12,000 | 8.0 |
| 1966-06-27 | Doti | 10:41 | 80 | 6.3 |
| 1980-07-29 | Pithoragarh | 14:58 | 200 | 6.5 |
| 1988-08-20 | Kathmandu, Bihar | 23:09 | 1,091 | 6.9 |
| 2011-09-18 | Sikkim | 18:29 | 111 | 6.9 |
| 2015-04-25 | Gorkha, Tibet | 11:56 | 8,857 | 7.8 or 8.1 |
| 2015-05-12 | Dolakha | 12:38 | 213 | 7.3 |
| 2022-11-09 | Doti | 02:12 | 6 | 5.7 |
1255:
The first recorded earthquake in Nepal’s history occurred on July 7, 1255. It had a magnitude of 7.8 and caused about 2,200 deaths, including the king of Nepal, Abhaya Malla.
1260:
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Sagarmatha region of Nepal, causing about 100 deaths and damaging many temples and monuments.
1344:
A powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Mechi region of Nepal, killing about 100 people and destroying many buildings and villages.
1408:
A massive 8.2 magnitude earthquake occurred near the Nepal-Tibet border, in the Bagmati zone of Nepal. It caused about 2,500 deaths and triggered landslides and floods that affected many areas.
1505:
The largest earthquake ever recorded in Nepal’s history took place on June 6, 1505. It had a magnitude of 8.9 and caused about 6,000 deaths and widespread damage to the infrastructure and landscape of Nepal.
1681:
A 8.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the northern Kosi zone of Nepal, killing about 4,500 people and collapsing many houses and temples.
1767:
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in the northern Bagmati zone of Nepal, causing about 4,000 deaths and damaging many historical and cultural sites, such as the Patan Durbar Square and the Pashupatinath Temple.
1833:
A 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kathmandu and Bihar, a neighboring state of India, on August 26, 1833. It killed about 6,500 people and destroyed many buildings and monuments, such as the Bhimsen Tower and the Dharahara Tower.
1869:
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Kathmandu on July 7, 1869, killing about 750 people and injuring many more. It also damaged many public and private properties, such as the Rana Palace and the British Residency.
1916:
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in Nepal and Tibet on August 28, 1916, at 06:39 local time. It caused about 3,500 deaths and affected many areas, such as the Everest region and the Kanchenjunga region.
1934:
The deadliest earthquake in Nepal’s history happened on January 15, 1934, at 08:43 local time. It had a magnitude of 8.0 and killed between 10,700 and 12,000 people in Nepal and India. It also damaged or destroyed many landmarks, such as the Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Swayambhunath Stupa, and the Janaki Temple.
1966:
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the Doti region of Nepal on June 27, 1966, at 10:41 local time. It killed about 80 people and injured many more. It also caused landslides and cracks in the ground.
1980:
A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Pithoragarh district of India, near the Nepal border, on July 29, 1980, at 14:58 local time. It killed about 200 people and affected many villages and towns, such as Dharchula and Munsiyari. –
1988:
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Kathmandu and Bihar on August 20, 1988, at 23:09 local time. It killed about 1,091 people and injured more than 6,000. It also damaged many buildings and infrastructure, such as the Tribhuvan International Airport and the Koshi Barrage.
2011:
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in Sikkim, a state of India, near the Nepal border, on September 18, 2011, at 18:29 local time. It killed about 111 people and injured more than 1,000. It also affected many areas, such as the Darjeeling district and the Gangtok city.
2015:
A series of devastating earthquakes rocked Nepal in 2015, starting with a 7.8 or 8.1 magnitude earthquake on April 25, 2015, at 11:56 local time. It killed about 8,857 people and injured more than 22,000. It also triggered avalanches and landslides that affected many regions, such as the Langtang valley and the Everest base camp.
A major aftershock of 7.3 magnitude occurred on May 12, 2015, at 12:38 local time, killing about 213 people and injuring more than 2,500. It also damaged many buildings and infrastructure, such as the Dharahara Tower and the Rani Pokhari.
2022:
A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Doti region of Nepal on November 9, 2022, at 02:12 local time. It killed about 6 people and injured more than 50. It also caused some damage to the houses and roads in the area.
These are some of the major earthquakes that have occurred in Nepal and its vicinity, showing the vulnerability and resilience of the people and the country. Nepal is still recovering from the 2015 earthquakes, and faces many challenges and opportunities in the future. The government and the international community have been working together to provide relief and reconstruction to the affected areas, and to improve the disaster preparedness and response capacity of the country. Nepal is also a hotspot for scientific research and exploration, as the earthquakes have revealed new insights into the geology and tectonics of the Himalayas. Nepal is a country that has endured many hardships, but also has many hopes and dream
