Fewer Landslides Than Expected After Nepal, 2015 Quake

Fewer landslides occurred as a result of the April, 2015 Nepal earthquake, termed Gorka than expected.  The earthquake measured magnitudes of 7.5 Mw (moment magnitude scale) to 7.8 Mw.  The effects of the quake consumed roughly 9,000 people, and leaving thousands others injured.  However, glaciologist Jeffery Kargel, senior associate research scientist at the University of Arizona Department of  Hydrology and Water Resources, considered  how he could help from over 8,000 miles away.

Kargel realized his expertise in satellite imagery could help determine where landslides occurred, especially in regions generally cut off from society. Kargel and his colleague, Gregory Leonard, partnered with several agencies, including Global Land Ice Measurement from Space (GLIMS) a conglomerate of geologists, and the NASA Applied Sciences Disasters group.  As a result of the satellite imagery study of landslides, the team compiled a paper called "Geomorphic and Geologic Controls of Geohazards Induced by Nepal's 2015 Gorka Earthquake".

The 4,312 landslides that happened within six weeks after the quake were far less than similar magnitude quakes.  One explanation is that the Gorka quake produced much less shaking of the earth's surface than similar magnitude quakes. The complete article and further details can be found from University of Arizona webpage.