A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, followed by twelve significant aftershocks ranging from 2.8 to 7.5 in magnitude, according to Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
“This earthquake occurred along the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar, which marks the eastern edge of the Burmese Arc,” explained Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center. The intense collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate has made this region one of the most seismically active areas in the Himalayan seismic belt.
The Sagaing Fault, stretching over 1,400 kilometers with an average movement rate of 20 millimeters per year, is highly active, especially in its middle and northern sections. “This specific earthquake occurred in the southern section, where no major earthquakes have been historically recorded. However, the surrounding area has experienced relatively frequent strong earthquakes,” Jiang added.
Gao Mengtan, an expert from the Institute of Geophysics at the China Earthquake Administration, described the event as a typical shallow-focus earthquake occurring within the Earth’s crust. “Its rupture plane potentially reached the surface, causing intense ground shaking. The region surrounding the fault is densely populated, and the collapse of numerous buildings has posed a severe challenge for emergency rescue efforts,” he said.
Despite this significant seismic activity, Gao noted that global earthquake occurrences have been lower this year compared to previous years. “Given the current situation, it’s difficult to say whether the Earth is entering an active seismic phase following this earthquake,” he commented.
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources stated that based on preliminary earthquake parameters, the quake might trigger a local tsunami around the epicenter. However, since the epicenter is located outside the Pacific Ocean, it will not affect the coastal areas of China.
This earthquake is the 17th of magnitude 6 or above globally this year. It’s not only the largest earthquake to occur so far this year but also the strongest continental earthquake in nearly a decade, according to China Media Group.
On Saturday, a 37-member Chinese rescue and medical team arrived in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, to carry out international humanitarian relief efforts.
