On April 25, 2015 at 11:56 a.m local time, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck in the district of Lamjung, approximately 80 km northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal. The earthquake occurred as the result of thrust faulting [15.0 km (9.3 mi) in depth] in the region where the India plate is sinking (subducting) beneath the Eurasia plate, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Damage to buildings was extensive and over 18,000 injuries and 8000 fatalities have been reported. See also: Earthquake; Fault and fault structures; Subduction zones
On May 12, 2015, a second major, 7.3-magnitude, earthquake rocked the region. The quake, located approximately 80 km east-northeast of Kathmandu, near Mount Everest, also occurred at a depth of 15.0 km (9.3 mi) as the result of thrust faulting, according to the USGS.
