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A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025.
The epicenter was about 20 km from Mandalay, near the Sagaing fault, a highly active seismic zone.
Aftershocks followed, including a strong 6.4 magnitude quake just 11 minutes later.
What Effect Did the Quakes Have?
The earthquake caused widespread destruction, killing thousands and damaging homes.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated over 10,000 deaths due to the quake.
The impact extended as far as Bangkok, Thailand, 1,000 km away, though damage there was minimal.
Mandalay was hardest hit, with significant damage to buildings, pagodas, mosques, and bridges.
The southern areas of the Sagaing fault experienced more devastation due to thicker alluvial deposits, which amplify seismic waves.
China’s Yunnan Province, north of the fault, remained unaffected.
Are Quakes Common in South Asia?
South Asia, including Myanmar, is prone to earthquakes due to tectonic activity from the collision of the Indian and Eurasian Plates.
This collision began around 40 million years ago and led to the formation of the Himalayas and other seismic zones.
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (magnitude 9.2) and the 1792 megathrust earthquake in Myanmar are notable past events.
The region experiences earthquakes at varying depths, from shallow to deep, depending on tectonic interactions.
What is the Geodynamic Context of the Sagaing Fault?
The Sagaing fault marks the boundary between the Central Myanmar Lowlands and the Indo-Burman Range.
It accommodates about 50-55% of the tectonic plate motion in the region through horizontal (strike-slip) movements.
The fault’s slip rate is 15-25 mm per year, with accumulated slippage of 100-700 km.
Earthquakes here are usually shallow (10-15 km deep), unlike deep thrust fault earthquakes.
The Sagaing fault runs 1,400 km from the Andaman Sea to the eastern Himalayas and has a history of strong earthquakes.
What Does the Mandalay Earthquake Portend?
Historical earthquakes in the region suggest recurring seismic activity along the Sagaing fault.
The 2025 earthquake highlights the need for earthquake preparedness, especially in regions like India, which are prone to seismic activity.
India should adopt scientifically tested safety measures to reduce the impact of future earthquakes.
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