NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar – A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 rocked Myanmar’s Sagaing region near Mandalay on Friday, causing widespread destruction and shaking neighboring Thailand.
Here’s a breakdown of why the quake was so severe and the science behind the devastation.
Why Is Myanmar Prone to Earthquakes?
Myanmar lies along the boundary between the India Plate and the Eurasia Plate, making it one of the world’s most seismically active regions.
This plate boundary runs north-south through the country, cutting through areas like Sagaing.
Joanna Faure Walker, an earthquake expert at University College London, explained that the plates move horizontally past each other at varying speeds, producing “strike-slip” earthquakes.
Unlike the more powerful “subduction zone” quakes—where one plate slides under another—strike-slip quakes still have the potential to reach magnitudes as high as 7 to 8.
While large earthquakes have been relatively rare in the Sagaing region, the area’s tectonic setting leaves it vulnerable to significant seismic activity.
Why Was This Quake So Destructive?
Experts believe Friday’s earthquake is the largest to hit Myanmar’s mainland in over 75 years.
Bill McGuire, a UCL earthquake specialist, said the magnitude and shallow depth of the quake made it especially damaging.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake’s epicenter was at a depth of just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
According to Roger Musson, an honorary research fellow at the British Geological Survey, shallow earthquakes tend to be more destructive because their shockwaves don’t dissipate much before reaching the surface.
“This is very damaging because it has occurred at a shallow depth, so the buildings received the full force of the shaking,” Musson said.
He also noted that seismic waves radiate out along the fault line, meaning the impact isn’t confined to the epicenter alone but affects a broader area.
Sagaing’s Vulnerability
The Sagaing region has experienced moderate seismic activity in recent years, such as the 2012 earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 that caused 26 deaths.
However, Friday’s earthquake is likely the most powerful since 1956, highlighting the region’s vulnerability.
Mandalay, one of Myanmar’s most populated cities, lies near the epicenter.
Unfortunately, Myanmar’s infrastructure is not built to withstand such powerful quakes, which significantly amplifies the damage.
“Most of the seismicity in Myanmar is further west, while this quake struck closer to the country’s center. The region’s buildings and infrastructure are not designed to withstand this level of seismic force,” Musson added.
How Prepared Was Myanmar?
The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program estimates fatalities could range between 10,000 and 100,000, with the economic toll reaching as high as 70% of Myanmar’s GDP.
These estimates reflect Myanmar’s lack of preparedness for large earthquakes in the Sagaing region.
Infrastructure in the area is not designed to withstand significant seismic activity, making it especially vulnerable to the kind of shockwaves seen on Friday.
As Myanmar grapples with the immediate aftermath, international aid has started to arrive to support the recovery efforts.
However, the quake has underscored the need for improved seismic readiness in regions like Sagaing to mitigate the impact of future events.
With a history of tectonic activity and densely populated areas near fault lines, experts emphasize that stronger building codes and better preparedness could save lives and prevent extensive damage in the future.
