Latest news from current paleo-seismological research in Nepal

Quantifying the seismic hazard and return times of large earthquakes along the Himalayan arc remains a major challenge. Knowing the precise geometry and earthquake rupture histories of active faults is critical to assessing such hazard. Two great historical earthquakes, in AD 1934 (M8.2) and AD 1255 (M>8), have occurred in Central Eastern Nepal, surface rupture of those earthquake were reported in Central Nepal. Surface rupture of 1505 earthquake was also reported at Far-western Nepal. Major portion of the Himalayan Arc is still undiscovered for the past earthquake. There are still many limitations to discover the surface rupture of historical and pre-historical mega-thrust earthquake in this region because scale of the co-seismic throw and limiting depth and paleo-seismological excavations. This makes seismic hazard evaluation more difficult and challenge. What is the return period of great earthquake in this region is mostly unclear and different interpretation. To study this problem we have started paleo-seismological research along the Himalayan front. Thus unambiguous answers to simple questions are still pending. How complete is the record for M>8 earthquakes in the region? What faults or fault patches generate such earthquakes and which of the corresponding ruptures reach the surface? This talk will focus on the result from the airborne LiDAR survey along the frontal part of the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT).