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Science In Action: Nepal Earthquake

Pedestrians walk past a collapsed structure that over-looked one of the squares in the UNESCO world heritage site of Bhaktapur

30/04/2015

Nepal Earthquake

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Nepal Earthquake

How science can help the rescue efforts after the Nepal earthquake

Nepal earthquake, Artificial light impacts marine ecosystems, Flooding in the Amazon, Bees being used to deter elephants.

Experts had long been expecting a devastating earthquake in Nepal - the Himalaya are being squeezed at 2cm a year by tectonic forces, as India and Asia collide. The faults were bound to fail at some time, but at what time?  Science cannot tell. But science can help in the immediate aftermath - by showing how bad the shaking has been, where it was worst, and where the victims may be found. Roland Pease reports on the efforts to get help delivered as quickly as possible to the places it is most needed - whether it's in damaged buildings, or beneath deadly landslides.

Light Pollution and Marine Ecosystems
Around a fifth of the world’s coasts are illuminated at night by lights and as LEDs grow in popularity we can expect to see these areas get brighter. But until recently the effects of this light on the marine ecology was a relatively unknown and understudied phenomenon. Research published this week has highlighted how light is affecting marine organisms; attracting organisms like keel worms whilst repelling others.

Amazon Flooding
Much of the rainforest surrounding the Amazon River is used to being flooded. But recently rainfall patterns have become more chaotic. In the past decade, there have been periods of drought. But it is the years where rainfall is well above average, and flooding occurs for most of the year, that is having the most deleterious effect on the region. Trees, which have stood for thousands of years are starting to die and the resultant effect of the rest of the flora and fauna is starting to worry ecologists.  

Bees to Deter Elephants
The Elephants and Bees Project is an innovative study in Kenya. The researchers discovered that elephants are scared of bees.  So if you do not want elephants entering your farm and trampling your crops and destroying your buildings, hang beehives on the fence line!

(Photo: Pedestrians walk past a collapsed structure that over-looked one of the squares in the ancient site of Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu © Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)

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