Background

In 2015, the Gorkha Earthquake Disaster in Nepal took the lives of 9,000 people. More than 22,000 people were injured, 3.5 million lost their homes and the total economic loss of $10 billion represents half of Nepal’s annual GDP. 

Studies of the Gorkha earthquake warn that the redistribution of tectonic stress is now ratcheting the Main Himalayan Thrust zone toward another rupture that would surpass the 2015 disaster. Earthquake early warning is the only way to save human lives and prevent devastation of Kathmandu communities. By codeveloping smart sensing systems to promote early detection and by partnering with and training in-country experts, Duke and Tribhuvan University are advocating an interdisciplinary approach to achieving the goal of early detection and warning.

Project Description

Building on an existing collaboration between faculty and students at Duke and Tribhuvan University of Kathmandu and the work of previous project teams, this team will work to place a smart seismic sensing network in Kathmandu and continue to build in-country capacity for seismic hazard analysis and mitigation.

Team members will conduct collaborative research on public policy, social science, data science and engineering to develop and operate a seismic sensing network. In 2025, this will involve the development of low-noise analog signal processing implemented on custom printed circuit boards and cross-sensor modeling via ambient and strong motion recordings. Team members will also participate in developing new machine learning methods and build relationships with stakeholders to foster the nationally financed commitment needed for systems operations and management. 

The team will collaborate with the Institute of Engineering at Tribhuvan University and the Nepal Society for Earthquake Technology, and develop similar connections to the Department of Disaster Management and the Nepal Disaster Risk Mitigation and Management Agency. These collaborators will provide the necessary framework for the implementation and operation of a region-wide seismic sensor network.

Anticipated Outputs

Smart sensing networks programmed using methods of seismic hazard analysis; published papers in partnership with Institute of Engineering at Tribhuvan University. 

Student Opportunities

Ideally, this project team will include 1-2 graduate students and 5-6 undergraduate students with skills in computer science, electrical engineering and/or mechanical engineering for sensor development; skills in statistics, civil engineering, computer science and risk to investigate hazard risk and modeling; and skills in economics, international development, policy and political science to assist in informing the sociopolitical landscape of this work in its Nepalese context.

Students will have opportunities to develop teamwork and leadership skills in international and cross-cultural environments. Students will experience the fourth stage of evolution of this project that will bridge the development of a sustained partnership with Tribhuvan University to promote a trial system to government agencies and nongovernmental organizations setting the foundation for large-scale financial support. Team members working on technology will see how interviews and surveys can guide their specification requirements, and team members working on social science and policy will see the potential and limitations of technological solutions.

Selected students will also have the opportunity to travel in May 2025.

Timing

Spring 2025 - Summer 2025

• Spring 2025: Develop subteam research questions; connect research interests with those of Nepali students via weekly zoom calls; learn about Nepali language, history and culture to prepare for travel to Kathmandu; present at Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase
• Summer 2025: Travel to Nepal to work alongside Institute of Engineering students and in-country collaborators; meet with representatives of NGOs and governmental groups in Kathmandu; present at a research symposium in Kathmandu

Crediting

cademic credit available for fall and spring semesters; summer funding available

See earlier related team, Earthquake Early Warning in Kathmandu (2023-2024).