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We model interseismic plate coupling distribution on the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) in Nepal through the inversion of secular GNSS velocity data. To complement previously published data, we compile velocity data from ten additional continuous stations to improve spatial resolution in central and mid-western Nepal. A regional non-planar structural model is adopted to reproduce the MHT fault plane. In general, the coupling pattern seems nearly binary, indicating that transition from full coupling to decoupling is occurring sharply in very narrow zones. In eastern Nepal (> 84.5ºE), plate coupling is very strong from the surface to intermediate depths, including the source region of the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Geodetically estimated slip deficit rates are consistent with the rupture history of great earthquakes in the east revealed by geomorphological observations. In the west (< 83.0ºE), a weakly coupled zone extends laterally at intermediate depths, whereas the coupling in the shallower part remains very strong. Although the slip deficit rate in the west is significantly smaller than that in the east, seismic moment accumulated, since the last complete rupture in 1505 may be capable of generating a future great event. In central Nepal, estimated slip deficit rates are comparable with those in the east, and no great event has been documented over the past several centuries. Thus, the seismic risk may be most urgent in central Nepal. The development of local seismicity and crustal deformation should be carefully monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 66% of the Nepalese population has been actively dependent on agriculture for their day-to-day living. Maize is the largest cereal crop in Nepal, both in terms of production and cultivated area in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal. The traditional ground-based method for growth monitoring and yield estimation of maize plant is time consuming, especially when measuring large areas, and may not provide a comprehensive view of the entire crop. Estimation of yield can be performed using remote sensing technology such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which is a rapid method for large area examination, providing detailed data on plant growth and yield estimation. This research paper aims to explore the capability of UAVs for plant growth monitoring and yield estimation in mountainous terrain. A multi-rotor UAV with a multi-spectral camera was used to obtain canopy spectral information of maize in five different stages of the maize plant life cycle. The images taken from the UAV were processed to obtain the result of the orthomosaic and the Digital Surface Model (DSM). The crop yield was estimated using different parameters such as Plant Height, Vegetation Indices, and biomass. A relationship was established in each sub-plot which was further used to calculate the yield of an individual plot. The estimated yield obtained from the model was validated against the ground-measured yield through statistical tests. A comparison of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Green–Red Vegetation Index (GRVI) indicators of a Sentinel image was performed. GRVI was found to be the most important parameter and NDVI was found to be the least important parameter for yield determination besides their spatial resolution in a hilly region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyse the climatology of ionosphere over Nepal based on GPS-derived vertical total electron content (VTEC) observed from four stations as defined in Table 1: KKN4 (27.80 ∘ N, 85.27 ∘ E), GRHI (27.95 ∘ N, 82.49 ∘ E), JMSM (28.80 ∘ N, 83.74 ∘ E) and DLPA (28.98 ∘ N, 82.81 ∘ E) during the years 2008 to 2018. The study illustrates the diurnal, monthly, annual, seasonal and solar cycle variations in VTEC during all times of solar cycle 24. The results clearly reveal the presence of equinoctial asymmetry in TEC, which is more pronounced in maximum phases of solar cycle in the year 2014 at KKN4 station, followed by descending, ascending and minimum phases. Diurnal variations in VTEC showed the short-lived day minimum which occurs between 05:00 to 06:00 LT (local time) at all the stations considered, with diurnal peaks between 12:00 and 15:00 LT. The maximum value of TEC is observed more often during the spring equinox than the autumn equinox, with a few asymmetries. Seasonal variation in TEC is observed to be a manifestation of variations in solar flux, particularly regarding the level of solar flux in consecutive solstices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]