The 7.8 magnitude quake struck 50 miles northwest of Katmandu in an area where the Indian continental plate, driving northeast at a rate of 1.8 inches a year, slams into the Eurasian plate. Geologists warned significant aftershocks could continue to affect the region throughout the week. (5 Maps of Nepal’s Earthquake Zone - WSJ)
Most of the aftershocks were at the relatively shallow depth of about six miles below the Earth's surface. Shallow quakes cause more damage than deeper ones that have miles of earth to absorb the shaking. Here are all the earthquakes greater than 5-magnitude measured in the country since the 7.8-magnitude quake on the Saturday. (Nepal’s Earthquake: Mapping its ripple effect across Asia - Washington Post)
Nepal is prone to earthquakes because it is at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Himalayas were created when the plates collided millions of years ago, and the still-moving Indian plate pushes the mountains a few millimeters higher every year. (Nepal’s Earthquake: Mapping its ripple effect across Asia - Washington Post)
As the Indian subcontinent pushes against Eurasia, pressure is released in the form of earthquakes. The constant crashing of the two forms the Himalayan mountain range. (5 Maps of Nepal’s Earthquake Zone - WSJ)
Damaged roads, landslides and heavy rains are hindering recovery efforts in Nepal after Saturday’s earthquake, despite an influx of international aid. Many affected areas are rural and only accessible by helicopter. (5 Maps of Nepal’s Earthquake Zone - WSJ)
Saturday’s quake triggered a huge avalanche that sent a wall of snow slamming through base camp and killed at least 17 people. (5 Maps of Nepal’s Earthquake Zone - WSJ)