2025 Sagaing earthquake: Difference between revisions

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The earthquake resulted in over 1,600 fatalities in Myanmar and 10 in Thailand, with more than 2,400 individuals reported injured. Additionally, hundreds were missing, including at a collapsed construction site in Bangkok. The city's shallow geology makes it particularly susceptible to seismic waves from distant earthquakes, compounded by a lack of awareness regarding seismic risks, which heightened its vulnerability to earthquake-related consequences. As of 28 March, authorities declared a state of emergency, anticipating an increase in the death toll. The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has further complicated disaster relief efforts. This earthquake was the deadliest to impact the country since the 1930 Bago earthquake.
The earthquake resulted in over 1,600 fatalities in Myanmar and 10 in Thailand, with more than 2,400 individuals reported injured. Additionally, hundreds were missing, including at a collapsed construction site in Bangkok. The city's shallow geology makes it particularly susceptible to seismic waves from distant earthquakes, compounded by a lack of awareness regarding seismic risks, which heightened its vulnerability to earthquake-related consequences. As of 28 March, authorities declared a state of emergency, anticipating an increase in the death toll. The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has further complicated disaster relief efforts. This earthquake was the deadliest to impact the country since the 1930 Bago earthquake.
== tectonic setting ==
Myanmar is situated at the convergence of four tectonic plates: the [[Indian plate|Indian]], [[Eurasian plate|Eurasian]], [[Sunda plate|Sunda]], and [[Burma plate|Burma]] plates, which interact due to active geological processes. Along the west coast of the [[Coco Islands]], extending off the Rakhine coast into [[Bangladesh]], lies a highly oblique [[ Convergent boundary | convergent boundary]] known as the [[Sunda megathrust]]. This significant fault delineates the boundary between the Indian and Burma plates and emerges from the seafloor in Bangladesh, running parallel and east of the Chin Hills. The boundary continues northward through [[Myanmar]], terminating at the eastern [[Himalayas]].
A 1,400-kilometer transform fault known as the [[Sagaing Fault]] traverses Myanmar, linking the Andaman spreading center to a collision zone in the north. This fault serves as the boundary between the Burma and Sunda plates, which slide past each other at a rate of 18–49 mm (0.71–1.93 in) per year. It is the largest and most active source of earthquakes in Myanmar, passing through or near major cities such as Yangon, Naypyidaw, and Mandalay. Significant and destructive earthquakes along the Sagaing Fault have occurred in May and December 1930 (Ms 7.3 & 7.5), 1931 (Ms 7.5), 1946 (Mw 7.3 & 7.7), 1956 (Ms 7.0), 1991 (Mw 6.9), and 2012 (Mw 6.9). Earthquake magnitudes along the Sagaing Fault range from Mw 7.0 to 8.0, with recurrence intervals varying by location along the fault. The southern segments, which ruptured in 1930, have return periods estimated at 100–150 years based on paleoseismological studies.


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Reflist}}

Revision as of 09:14, 30 March 2025


2025 Myanmar earthquake
File:Earthquake Damage Mandalay, 2025.png
Earthquake damage in Mandalay
UTC time2025-03-28 06:20:54
ISC event643071319
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date28 March 2025 (2025-03-28)
Local time12:50:54 MMT (UTC+6:30)
MagnitudeMw 7.7
Depth10 km (6 mi)
Epicenter22°00′47″N 95°55′19″E / 22.013°N 95.922°E / 22.013; 95.922Coordinates: 22°00′47″N 95°55′19″E / 22.013°N 95.922°E / 22.013; 95.922
FaultSagaing Fault
TypeStrike-slip
Areas affectedMyanmar, Thailand, Southwestern China
Max. intensityIX (Violent)
Aftershocks77+ recorded
Strongest: Mww 6.7[1]
Casualties1,661+ fatalities, 3,478+ injuries, 218+ missing


On 28 March 2025 (INC: 07 Saura Chaitra 1947) at 12:50:54 MMT (06:20:54 UTC), a Mw (magnitude) 7.7 earthquake occurred in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, near Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. The earthquake, characterized by strike-slip faulting, reached a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). This event marked the most powerful earthquake to hit Myanmar since the 1912 Maymyo earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.9. The quake resulted in substantial damage across Myanmar and also affected neighboring Thailand.

The earthquake resulted in over 1,600 fatalities in Myanmar and 10 in Thailand, with more than 2,400 individuals reported injured. Additionally, hundreds were missing, including at a collapsed construction site in Bangkok. The city's shallow geology makes it particularly susceptible to seismic waves from distant earthquakes, compounded by a lack of awareness regarding seismic risks, which heightened its vulnerability to earthquake-related consequences. As of 28 March, authorities declared a state of emergency, anticipating an increase in the death toll. The ongoing civil war in Myanmar has further complicated disaster relief efforts. This earthquake was the deadliest to impact the country since the 1930 Bago earthquake.

tectonic setting

Myanmar is situated at the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates, which interact due to active geological processes. Along the west coast of the Coco Islands, extending off the Rakhine coast into Bangladesh, lies a highly oblique convergent boundary known as the Sunda megathrust. This significant fault delineates the boundary between the Indian and Burma plates and emerges from the seafloor in Bangladesh, running parallel and east of the Chin Hills. The boundary continues northward through Myanmar, terminating at the eastern Himalayas.

A 1,400-kilometer transform fault known as the Sagaing Fault traverses Myanmar, linking the Andaman spreading center to a collision zone in the north. This fault serves as the boundary between the Burma and Sunda plates, which slide past each other at a rate of 18–49 mm (0.71–1.93 in) per year. It is the largest and most active source of earthquakes in Myanmar, passing through or near major cities such as Yangon, Naypyidaw, and Mandalay. Significant and destructive earthquakes along the Sagaing Fault have occurred in May and December 1930 (Ms 7.3 & 7.5), 1931 (Ms 7.5), 1946 (Mw 7.3 & 7.7), 1956 (Ms 7.0), 1991 (Mw 6.9), and 2012 (Mw 6.9). Earthquake magnitudes along the Sagaing Fault range from Mw 7.0 to 8.0, with recurrence intervals varying by location along the fault. The southern segments, which ruptured in 1930, have return periods estimated at 100–150 years based on paleoseismological studies.

References