An estimated 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the hilly nation of Nepal on April 25, 2015 around mid-day. Some estimate the intensity of the earthquake to be 8.1. Initial reports also indicate the epicenter of the earthquake to be located at the village of Barpak in Gorkha district at a depth of 9.3 miles below the surface. The area is well-known for earthquakes and many estimate the damage and destruction to be very high including loss of many thousands of human lives. Continued aftershocks are keeping survivors out of their damaged homes and in the open. Hilly terrain may make it more difficult for recovery effort as well as reaching those who are in need of food and other basic aid.
Nepal is the Southern limits of where the diffuse collisional boundary of the Indian Plate meets with the Eurasian Plate. One under thrusts the other and known to cause severe damage to property and human lives. The fault line extend one third of the length of the Himalayan Mountain. The effects of the earthquake in the Katmandu area expected to be heavy since the entire area is located in a basin that sits on more than 2,000 feet of sedimentary rocks.