Lessons Learned from the Occurrences of Major Devastating Mw≥7.5 Earthquakes in the Asian Countries during the last 25 years

Abstract

The loss of human lives, properties and damages due to the occurrences of moderate to large size earthquakes have been a major concern for the economic development of many countries in the world. Earthquakes would continue to occur in a region and would remain among the most devastating natural hazards. Seismically active countries viz., China, India, Japan, USA, Mexico and a few other countries are classified as high earthquake hazard regions while continents/countries with low rate of earthquake occurrence include Africa, Australia, Canada etc. On many occasions in the past, high earthquake hazard countries have experienced major economic setbacks due to the occurrences of major earthquakes. In the present paper, the causative mechanisms of major devastating earthquakes of M_w^≥7.5 in the Asian countries (including high hazard countries like China, Japan, India, Taiwan and Nepal) during the past 25 years and major damages rendered by these earthquakes is discussed.