---
title: "Factors causing hazards in Nepal Himalaya"
subject: "Engineering Geology II"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_4/engineering_geology_ii:nepal-himalaya-hazard-factors"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/nepal-himalaya-hazard-factors
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Factors causing hazards in Nepal Himalaya

Engineering Geology II · Chapter 5: Geological Hazards

- Asked in: 2069 Poush, 5 marks
- Video: [Himalayas—Tectonics, Earthquakes, and the 2015 Nepal Earthquake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VjaSFEf4BU) — IRIS Earthquake Science
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/nepal-himalaya-hazard-factors
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/engineering_geology_ii/chapter-5

## Question

What are the engineering geological factors that cause hazards in the Nepal Himalaya?

## Short answer

Engineering geological factors include active tectonics and thrust faults causing seismicity, weak lithologies like phyllite and shale, adverse joints and foliation, steep slopes with river undercutting, deep weathering and thick soil, intense monsoon rain, high groundwater, glacier retreat, and unplanned construction.

## Answer

The engineering geological factors that cause hazards in the Nepal Himalaya are the following.

1. **Active tectonics:** continuous collision of Indian and Eurasian plates; active thrusts (MFT, MBT, MCT) cause earthquakes, uplift and fractured rock.
2. **Lithology:** weak, soft rocks such as phyllite, schist, shale, Siwalik mudstone and loose alluvium; soluble rocks (limestone) with cavities.
3. **Geological structure:** folds, faults, joints and foliation with adverse orientation; shear zones with crushed rock.
4. **Steep slopes and high relief,** with deep river valleys and strong river undercutting.
5. **Weathering and thick unconsolidated soil cover,** colluvium, glacial moraine and talus.
6. **Climate:** intense monsoon rain, snow melt, freeze-thaw; glacier retreat and glacial lakes.
7. **Hydrogeology:** high groundwater and pore water pressure, springs and seepage.
8. **Seismicity,** shaking and liquefaction of loose saturated sand in the Terai and Kathmandu basin.
9. **High erosion and sediment** transport by rivers; river shifting in the Terai.
10. **Human influence:** unplanned roads, deforestation, settlements on unstable ground and quarrying.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What does active tectonics cause in the Himalaya?
   A. Earthquakes, uplift and fractured rock
   B. Stable rock
   C. Subsidence of mountains
   D. Glacier growth only
   Answer: A. Collision and active thrusts do this. (Key point: Active tectonics)

2. Which is a weak lithology listed?
   A. Gneiss
   B. Phyllite, shale and Siwalik mudstone
   C. Granite
   D. Quartzite
   Answer: B. Weak soft rocks are hazard-prone. (Key point: Lithology)

3. Where does liquefaction of loose saturated sand occur?
   A. On glaciers
   B. In massive cliffs
   C. Terai and Kathmandu basin
   D. High granite peaks
   Answer: C. Loose saturated sands liquefy during shaking. (Key point: Seismic liquefaction)

4. Which climatic factor is listed?
   A. Persistent drought
   B. Stable temperature
   C. Absence of rain
   D. Intense monsoon rain, snow melt and glacier retreat
   Answer: D. These raise pore pressure and form glacial lakes. (Key point: Climate factor)

## Related in Engineering Geology II

- [Geological hazards of Higher Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahigher-himalaya-hazards) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2
- [Mitigation of geological hazards](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ageohazard-mitigation-measures) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [Mitigation of geological problems in Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahimalaya-problems-mitigation) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2
- [Major discontinuity systems of Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-discontinuity-systems) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 2, asked 12×
- [Why Nepal Himalaya is landslide-prone](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Anepal-landslide-prone) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 5
- [Geological factors for hydrogeological condition](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fengineering_geology_ii%3Ahydrogeological-condition-factors) — Engineering Geology II, chapter 3, asked 9×

## Related in other subjects

- [Discontinuities and engineering problems in Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Adiscontinuities-and-engineering-problems-in) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7
- [Engineering geological problems in tectonic divisions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aengineering-geological-problems-in-tectonic) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [Physiographic division of the Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aphysiographic-division-of-the-nepal) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 7×
- [Tectonic divisions of the Nepal Himalaya](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Atectonic-divisions-of-the-nepal) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 7, asked 4×