Risk of future Nepal-India earthquake increases

There is an increased risk of a future major earthquake in an area that straddles the west of Nepal and India, scientists warn, reports Rebecca Morella for BBC. New data has revealed that the devastating quake that hit Nepal in April did not release all of the stress that had built up underground, and has pushed some of it westwards.

"We don't want to scare people, but it is important they are aware that they are living in a place where there is a lot of energy available," Prof Jean-Philippe Avouac, University of Cambridge explained. "A lot of families are building their own houses in Nepal. With minimum care, it is possible to build small buildings that can withstand large earthquakes."

In the report, Professor David Rothery from Open University highlights advances in risk identification and monitoring, and the benefits of preparedness activities such as school drills. "Lives would be saved by drilling school children in western Nepal and the nearby plains of northern India," he said.