Evidence for a Great Medieval Earthquake ([approximately]1100 A.D.) in the Central Himalayas, Nepal

The Himalayan orogen has produced three thrust earthquakes with moment magnitude (M[subscript w]) 7.8 to 8.5 during the past century, yet no surface ruptures associated with these great earthquakes have been documented. Here, we present paleoseismic evidence from east central Nepal that, since [approximately]700 A.D., a single earthquake ruptured the Frontal Thrust fault at [approximately]1100 A.D., with a surface displacement of [approximately]17 (+5/-3) meters and a lateral extent and size that could have exceeded 240 kilometers and [approximately]M[subscript w] 8.8, respectively. Ruptures associated with M[subscript w]