Paleo Kathmandu Lake
Paleo Kathmandu Lake is the former lake (or lakes) which lay where Kathmandu Valley is today. Similar to the situation of Mexico City and Pokhara Valley, the valley where the lake once stood is densely populated, and highly vulnerable to both nearby and even distant earthquakes due to liquefaction and amplification of waves because of unsettled clay soil, specifically here called kalimata.[1][2]
| Paleo Kathmandu Lake | |
|---|---|
  Paleo Kathmandu Lake  Paleo Kathmandu Lake  Paleo Kathmandu Lake | |
| Location | Kathmandu Valley, Nepal |
| Coordinates | 27°42′N 85°20′E |
| Type | former lake |
Geology
The basin had two prominent draining events. The first lowering of the water level came 51±13 thousand years ago. An earthquake near Langtang stands as a probable cause. Another earthquake 38 thousand years ago appears to have finished off the lake.[1] Deposits evidence a tsunami about the same time as the final draining.[3]
Religion
This lake is said to have been drained by Manjushree Bodhisattva by cutting open an outlet in the southern rim of the valley. As a result, the valley that was created was fertile and people started cultivating here and building their homes here. As the valley grew, Manjushree is said to have worshipped Swayambhu on the hillock where the present Swayambhu temple is located.
References
- Sakai, Harutaka; Fujii, Rie; Sugimoto, Misa; Setoguchi, Ryoko; Paudel, Mukunda Raj (December 2016). "Two times lowering of lake water at around 48 and 38 ka, caused by possible earthquakes, recorded in the Paleo-Kathmandu lake, central Nepal Himalaya". Earth, Planets and Space. 68 (1): 31. doi:10.1186/s40623-016-0413-5. ISSN 1880-5981.
- Kunda Dixit The lake that was once Kathmandu Nepali Times Issue #514 (06 August 2010 - 12 August 2010)
- Sigdel, Ashok (2010). "Discovery of Tsunami deposit in the paleo-Kathmandu Lake,central Nepal Himalaya". Journal of Nepal Geological Society. 41 (Sp.).