Department or Program
Geology
Abstract
The Himalayas were formed 40-60 billion years ago and are one of the most seismically active areas in the world. The nearby country of India has one of the largest populations of 1.4 billion people, thus the earthquakes that happen in the Himalayas have great implications to a large population as well as other surrounding countries. This is why it is so important for paleoseismologists to understand the earthquakes that have happened in the past in this region. Through using the paleoseismic technique of trenching, evidence of the 1803 earthquake in central Himalaya has been found. From this, a tentative minimum magnitude has been found of 7.3 Mw for the 1803 earthquake. A tentative recurrence interval of 298 years has also been determined. Future study and further trenching in the area will allow for more accurate recurrence intervals and magnitudes. Knowing this information will allow for paleoseismologists to estimate when the next earthquake will be and potentially save thousands, if not millions, of lives.
Level of Access
Restricted: Campus/Bates Community Only Access
First Advisor
Shreya Arora
Date of Graduation
5-2024
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Harmon, Molly E., "Determining Surface Rupture of the 1803 Earthquake in Central Himalaya Using Paleoseismology" (2024). Standard Theses. 73.
https://scarab.bates.edu/geology_theses/73
Number of Pages
45
Restricted
Available to Bates community via local IP address or Bates login.