India, Aug. 27 -- The US Geological Survey (USGS) has ruled out an earthquake as the cause of the devastating flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border. Its analysis found that the seismic activity initially detected on August 26 was actually linked to a glacial collapse and debris flow.

The disaster sent huge volumes of water and debris downstream, killing at least 160 people and leaving hundreds missing on both sides of the border.

What Caused The Nepal Floods?

USGS initially recorded what appeared to be a magnitude 5.2 seismic event near the Nepal-China border at around 8:37 am local time on August 26. Further examination of seismic data and satellite imagery, however, changed that assessment. The agency concluded that the event was a g...