M7.3 Earthquake Strikes Nepal

Powerful quake strikes 76km ENE of Kathmandu, Nepal

Centered at 27.837°N, 86.077°E the quake occurred at a depth of 15.0 km (9.3 mi), reported USGS/EHP.

USGS models show possible fatalities of up to 1,000, with damages estimated at up to $100 million.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 7.3Mw
Location: 27.837°N, 86.077°E
Depth: 15.0 km (9.3 mi)
Time: 2015-05-12 07:05:19 (UTC)
Nearby Cities:

• 18km (11mi) SE of Kodari, Nepal
• 59km (37mi) ENE of Banepa, Nepal
• 62km (39mi) ENE of Panaoti, Nepal
• 76km (47mi) ENE of Kathmandu, Nepal
• 77km (48mi) ENE of Patan, Nepal

At least 6 significant aftershocks, including a M6.3Mw, have occurred as of posting.

5.2Mw 28km SSE of Kodari, Nepal 2015-05-12 08:21:10 UTC depth=15.0 km
5.1Mw 19km SW of Kodari, Nepal 2015-05-12 08:13:54 UTC depth=15.0 km
5.0Mw 34km S of Kodari, Nepal 2015-05-12 08:06:07 UTC depth=15.0 km
6.3Mw 33km NNE of Ramechhap, Nepal 2015-05-12 07:36:53 UTC depth=15.0 km
5.4Mw 36km SSW of Zuobude, China 2015-05-12 07:34:22 UTC depth=15.0 km
5.6Mw 25km SE of Kodari, Nepal 2015-05-12 07:17:20 UTC depth=10.0 km

The devastating 7.8-magnitude quake (28.147°N, 84.708°E), which occurred at a similar depth on April 25, killed more than 8,000, injuring an estimated 18,000 others and affecting the lives of 8 million people across a vast region.

Related Links

• Nepal Earthquake: Death Toll Climbs to 7,365 May 4, 2015

Deadly Tornadoes: Disaster Declared in Texas, Iowa, Arkansas

Tornadoes kill 5, injure dozens, destroy/ damage hundreds of homes in U.S. mid-section

Governors in three states have declared States of Disaster Emergency, after a string of deadly tornadoes left trails of destruction across Texas, Arkansas, and Iowa on Monday, killing at least 5 people, leaving 3  missing and more than fifty others injured.

At least 25 tornadoes touched down in South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas on Sunday, according to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma. Three more tornadoes hit Iowas, Louisiana and North Carolina on Monday, reported SPC.

Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in Texas counties hit in recent days by severe weather that’s included tornadoes, thunderstorms and heavy rains that brought flooding.

Texas Gov. Abbott declared a state of disaster Monday in Bosque, Clay, Denton, Eastland, Gaines, Montague and Van Zandt counties.

A tornado killed at least one person in the town of Cisco west of Fort Worth Saturday night. Another tornado killed at least two people in the East Texas town of Van Sunday night, damaging or destroying at least 100 homes.

“About 30 percent” of the Van community has bee damaged, said an official for Van Zandt County.

The town was hit by an EF3 tornado, with winds from 135 mph to 140 mph, said NWS.

Iowa Gov. Branstad issued a disaster declaration for Monday morning, a day after a tornado tore through Lake City.

Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson declared Franklin, Garland, Howard, Izard, Johnson, Montgomery, Newton, Pike, Pope and Searcy Counties a disaster area Monday afternoon.

At least two people were killed in the town of Nashville, Arkansas, with widespread damage reported throughout the region.

The storm dumped as much as 280mm of rain in some areas setting new daily records for rainfall and causing widespread flooding.

Saturday saw at least 53 tornadoes wreaking havoc across Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.

Some 155 tornadoes have touched down in the U.S. so far this month, bringing up the total for 2015 to at least 382, as of posting.