%0 Journal Article
%T Earthquake and landslide vulnerability; some selected studies from Bhutan
%A Ramashray Prasad
%A Sangay Dorji
%J Sherub Doeme : The Research Journal of Sherubtse College
%D 2012
%I 
%X Bhutan is located in one of the very seismically active zones of the globe. It is positioned over the southern slopes of Eastern Himalayas. Whole of the Himalayas is newly formed mountain system rising from the sediment of the primordial Tethys Sea. Its formation took place 70 million years ago. Except some metamorphism and volcanic eruption, most of the area is composed of sedimentary rocks. In some regions; fragile, weathered, unconsolidated fluvial sediment is found. Being the boundary zone of the two plates, Indo-Australian and Eurasian, seismic activities are very pronounced. The colluding condition of these plates resulted folding, crushing of rocks and sometimes subduction of the crust itself. The force was so intense that the horizontal strata of the sedimentary deposits have turned to almost vertical. These are the manifestations of the internal forces operating at global scale. The internal forces are responsible for commotion inside the surface. This commotion is leading to the isostatic imbalance in whole of the Himalayan zone. Among all types of rocks, sedimentary has greater stress and strain bearing capacity. When the stress and strain is beyond the tolerance limit of the experiencing rocks, tear or fault is crafted. This tear or fault is the most active seismic zone. Physio-graphically or geologically speaking, Bhutan is fragile in terms of the stability of rocks. Delicate weak rocks, steep slope, torrential rain, seismic movement; all are leading to further aggravating the landslide. Henceforth, a whole lot of problems are arising for the nature conservation and human habitat. People are affected by loss of life, their land and resources as well. People are stranded by blocking the road and destruction of property especially landslide associated with seismic activity. Both are destructive, but combination of both is very caustic and scathing. Here, an attempt has been made to look at the problems of both earthquake and landslide.
%U http://jr.sherubtse.edu.bt/index.php/sherub/article/view/16