Recent earthquakes in Nepal
Nepal lies directly on the Main Himalayan Thrust, the fault along which the Indian Plate subducts beneath the Himalaya, making it one of the highest earthquake-hazard countries in the world. Great earthquakes here recur over centuries as strain accumulates across the mountain front. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake (M7.8) struck near Kathmandu, and the 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake (M8.0) was even larger. In the past 24 hours, Nepal has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.9 | Sep 8, 16:08 UTC | 10 km | 90 km NNE of Chitre, Nepal |
Notable recent activity
An M4.9 earthquake struck 90 km NNE of Chitre, Nepal at 16:08 UTC on Sep 8 at a depth of 10 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Nepal have earthquakes?
Nepal sits atop the Main Himalayan Thrust, where the Indian Plate is being forced beneath the Himalaya. The continuous convergence stores strain that releases in large, shallow earthquakes across the mountain front.
How often do big earthquakes strike Nepal?
Great Himalayan earthquakes recur roughly every few centuries along any given segment. Nepal has experienced major events in 1255, 1505, 1833, 1934, and 2015, and scientists note that segments of the front remain unruptured and strained.
What was the biggest earthquake in Nepal?
The 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake, magnitude 8.0, is the largest in Nepal's modern record and killed over 10,000 people. The April 25, 2015 Gorkha earthquake (M7.8) killed nearly 9,000 and damaged much of the Kathmandu Valley.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.