As a country in the high risk seismic zone, earthquakes are very likely in Nepal. Past records have shown that Nepal can expect two earthquakes of magnitude anywhere between 7.5 and 8 on the Richter scale every forty years and one earthquake of magnitude of 8+ in Richter scale every eighty years.
The last great earthquake to strike Nepal was in 1934. It had a magnitude of 8.3 on the Richter scale. The earthquake of June 7, 1255 AD (1310 BS) is the first recorded earthquake in the history of Nepal. During the earthquake nearly one third of the total population of Kathmandu were killed. Among the killed were the King of Kathmandu valley, Abahya Malla. The earthquake magnitude at that time is believed to be around 7.7 in Richter scale. 1260 AD (1316 BS): Another big earthquake was recorded during the reign of King Jayadev Malla. During the earthquake many buildings and temples collapsed. there was a huge loss of lives.1408 AD (1463 BS): During the reign of king Shyam singh, a major earthquake destroyed the temple of Rato Matchendranath and many other buildings and temples.
1681 AD (or January of 1682): Very little information is available about the earthquake that happene.
1767 AD: an earthquake of significant intensity was felt in Nepal. Much information about the earthquake is not available.
1833 AD (1890 BS), two major earthquake hit Kathmandu valley. It was during the reign King Rajendra Bikram Shah Dharaha, the tallest building in valley, was also severely damaged.
1988 AD ( 2045 BS): known as Udayapur Earthquake mainly affected the Eastern Development Region and some parts of Central Development region. It caused 721 deaths, 6553 injured, and damage to 64174 private buildings, 468 public houses, 790 government buildings. Death of 1566 live stocks and a total direct loss of 5 billion rupees was reported.
