An earthquake struck Nepal in 2015 causing widespread damage and loss of life. Some key points: - Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of built-up energy below the earth's surface along fault lines in the crust. - The Nepal earthquake measured 7.8 magnitude and destroyed 60% of buildings, left up to 900,000 people homeless, and severely disrupted water, telephone, electricity and transportation infrastructure. - The impacts were exacerbated by Nepal's location in an active seismic zone and lack of enforcement of earthquake preparedness in urban development.