Examine the diagram above and answer each of the following questions - Leaving Cert Geography - Question A - 2016

The earthquake in Nepal was caused by the movement of the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The collision and ongoing interaction between these two plates lead to significant geological stress, resulting in seismic activity.

The type of plate boundary shown above is a convergent boundary. This is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath another, a process known as subduction.

Two other types of plate boundaries are:

1. Divergent Boundaries: Where two tectonic plates move away from each other, resulting in the creation of new crust, such as at mid-ocean ridges.
2. Transform Boundaries: Where two plates slide past one another horizontally, which can cause earthquakes, as seen at the San Andreas Fault.

The term 'epicentre' refers to the point on the Earth's surface that is directly above the focus or hypocentre of an earthquake. It is usually where the seismic waves first reach the surface and is generally the area that experiences the most intense shaking.

One effective way of reducing the impact of earthquakes is through the implementation of strict building codes and regulations. By ensuring that structures are designed to withstand seismic forces, the risk of structural failure and potential casualties can be significantly minimized in the event of an earthquake.