What Caused the Powerful Myanmar and Thailand Earthquake? Insights on the 7.7 Magnitude Event

Uncover the causes and aftermath of the 2025 Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, which hit Myanmar's capital Mandalay and neighboring regions.

What Caused the Powerful Myanmar and Thailand Earthquake? A Detailed Insight

The powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, was a magnitude 7.7 quake that reverberated throughout Southeast Asia, affecting neighboring Thailand, Cambodia, and India. The earthquake caused extensive damage in Myanmar, particularly in Mandalay, the country’s former capital. But what caused this powerful tremor, and why is Myanmar at high risk of such natural disasters? Let’s explore the geological reasons behind this earthquake, the impact on local infrastructure, and the broader implications for the region.

Understanding Earthquakes: A Brief Overview

Before delving into the specific causes of the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, it’s essential to understand what earthquakes are and how they occur. The Earth’s interior consists of three main layers: the molten core, the mantle, and the crust. The Earth’s crust is broken up into tectonic plates, which float over the semi-fluid mantle. The movement of these plates is often the cause of earthquakes.

When two tectonic plates slide past each other or collide, immense stress builds up. The release of this stress causes the shaking of the Earth's surface. The shaking of the Earth can be mild, or it can cause major damage depending on the energy released. A shallow earthquake, like the one that struck Myanmar, often causes more destruction because the seismic waves don’t lose much energy before they hit the surface.

What Made Myanmar So Vulnerable to Earthquakes?

Myanmar lies at a geographical juncture between two large tectonic plates – the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. The boundary between these two plates is responsible for the region's heightened earthquake risk. This boundary, known as the Sagaing Fault, stretches approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the north to the south of Myanmar, passing through cities like Mandalay and Yangon.

Experts explain that the Sagaing Fault experiences “strike-slip faulting.” This occurs when the two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally rather than colliding. This type of faulting is responsible for significant earthquake activity in the region. Myanmar's position on the edge of two plates makes it more susceptible to intense seismic activity, and the March 28 earthquake was one of the most devastating in recent history.

The Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake: A 7.7 Magnitude Event

On March 28, 2025, the earthquake that struck Myanmar reached a magnitude of 7.7, making it one of the strongest earthquakes in recent memory for the region. The tremors were felt across much of Southeast Asia, including parts of Thailand, Cambodia, and India. However, the epicenter was located near Myanmar’s Mandalay in the Sagaing region.

The strength of the earthquake unleashed widespread destruction, particularly in Myanmar’s Mandalay. Buildings collapsed, including the royal palace, and the Ava Bridge, which connects Mandalay to nearby towns, was severely damaged. The earthquake also caused extensive damage to roads, railways, and other infrastructure, making recovery difficult.

In Thailand, the capital Bangkok was also affected. A 33-story high-rise under construction in the city collapsed, trapping workers beneath the rubble. At least eight people were reported dead, and dozens more were injured. The tremors reached all the way to Cambodia and India, demonstrating just how powerful the earthquake was.

Why Was the Earthquake So Destructive?

There are several factors that contributed to the significant damage caused by the March 28 earthquake. First, the earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth – only about 10 kilometers (6 miles) beneath the Earth's surface. Shallow earthquakes are typically more destructive because the seismic waves don’t lose much energy before reaching the surface.

Additionally, Myanmar’s infrastructure, particularly in urban areas, is not designed to withstand such large earthquakes. The country has undergone rapid urbanization in recent decades, with a boom in high-rise buildings. However, many of these buildings are constructed from reinforced concrete without sufficient attention to earthquake resistance. This lack of preparation for such natural disasters has led to widespread damage in cities like Mandalay and Naypyidaw.

Dr. Ian Watkinson, a tectonics expert from Royal Holloway, University of London, compared the destruction to that seen in the 2023 earthquake in southern Turkey. In both cases, unregulated construction and a lack of proper building codes resulted in high levels of damage and loss of life.

Impact on Myanmar and Thailand

The earthquake has left Myanmar reeling. State media reports indicate that more than 140 people were killed in Myanmar, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue. The tremors also left thousands of people without homes, and many are now living in temporary shelters as recovery efforts begin.

The damage in Thailand, while less severe, was still significant. The collapse of a high-rise building in Bangkok killed at least eight construction workers and caused further injuries. The incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities of urban areas in the region, where many buildings are not built to withstand strong earthquakes.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that nearly 800,000 people in Myanmar were within the zone of violent shaking, and the death toll in the coming days could be higher. As Myanmar continues to grapple with the aftermath of this earthquake, it raises serious concerns about the nation’s preparedness for future natural disasters.

Aftershocks and Their Impact

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the main shock, and they are a common occurrence after major seismic events. These aftershocks can cause additional damage, especially to already weakened buildings and infrastructure. Seismologists predict that Myanmar and Thailand may continue to experience aftershocks in the days and weeks following the initial earthquake.

Dr. Will Yeck, a seismologist with the US Geological Survey, explains that aftershocks occur because the energy released during the main earthquake alters the stress on nearby fault lines. This increased stress can cause additional ruptures, resulting in smaller, but still potentially damaging, tremors.

The Risk of Future Earthquakes

Myanmar’s position on the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates means that it will continue to face the risk of earthquakes in the future. Experts warn that the country’s lack of earthquake-resistant infrastructure makes it particularly vulnerable to these natural disasters.

In addition to the physical devastation, the psychological and emotional toll of such disasters cannot be underestimated. Myanmar, which has already been grappling with civil unrest and political instability for several years, now faces the added challenge of rebuilding after a major earthquake.

Conclusion: The Need for Preparedness

The Myanmar-Thailand earthquake of March 2025 has highlighted the vulnerabilities of Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar, to seismic activity. As tectonic plates continue to shift, the risk of future earthquakes remains high. In order to mitigate the damage from future disasters, experts suggest that the region needs to invest in earthquake-resistant infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness.

Myanmar, in particular, must prioritize the safety of its citizens by implementing and enforcing building codes that can withstand such powerful tremors. The devastation caused by the March 28 earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness in a region prone to natural disasters.

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