A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, with its epicenter 20 km from Mandalay. The quake was followed by strong aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4 magnitude.
Key Highlights:
- Epicenter & Fault Line:
- The quake originated near Mandalay, close to the Sagaing fault, one of Southeast Asia’s most active seismic zones.
- The shallow depth of 10 km intensified the destruction.
- Widespread Impact:
- The damage zone extended as far as Bangkok, Thailand, about 1,000 km away.
- Extensive tremors and structural damage were reported across the region.
- Geological Context:
- South Asia is prone to earthquakes due to the interaction of major tectonic features, including:
- Himalayas
- Shillong Plateau
- Southern Indo-Burman Range
- Andaman-Nicobar subduction zone
- The Sagaing fault is a strike-slip fault, meaning tectonic blocks move horizontally past each other.
- South Asia is prone to earthquakes due to the interaction of major tectonic features, including:
- Historical Seismic Activity:
- A massive 8.5-magnitude “megathrust” earthquake hit Myanmar’s Arakan coast in 1792.
(Source: TH)
