The 2015 Nepal earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.8.
The main shock struck on 25 April 2015, with its epicentre near Barpak in Gorkha District, west of Kathmandu. It caused widespread destruction across Nepal and triggered avalanches on Himalayan mountains, including Everest.
A major aftershock measuring 7.3 occurred on 12 May 2015 near the border area of Dolakha and Sindhupalchok. Together, the earthquakes damaged homes, roads, temples and other infrastructure, while causing thousands of deaths and injuries.
The earthquake resulted from the ongoing convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates. That tectonic collision continues to raise the Himalayas and makes the region one of the world’s major earthquake zones.