Tremors were felt in Southeast Asia after the 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar.
But on what should have been any other Friday afternoon, Myanmar’s life turned terrifyingly upside down. Today, at 12:50 PM local time (06:50 UTC), a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake devastated the province of central Myanmar. The quake, along with a 6.8-magnitude aftershock, rattled cities, towns, and rural villages, sending residents into a panic. From the crowded streets of Bangkok to the peaceful scenery of China’s Yunnan province, millions sensed the ground shake. Here’s what happened, why Myanmar is at risk for disasters like this, and how communities are coping.
The Earthquake: What We Know So Far
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake’s epicenter was located 16 kilometers, or about 10 miles, northwest of Sagaing city, which is about 250 kilometers, or nearly 160 miles, from Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, magnifying its effect. Within minutes, social media was inundated with harrowing video footage: buildings swaying violently in Bangkok, commuters fleeing metro stations, and residents running into streets in Chiang Mai, Thailand, still wearing pajamas.
One resident, Duangjai, told AFP, “I was asleep when I heard a loud rumble. Before I knew it, the walls began to shake. “ I ran outside in my pajamas — everybody was screaming.” Similar tales rushed in from Yunnan province, where the tremors had measured a staggering 7.9 in intensity. Chinese authorities sounded immediate alarms, advising residents to remain outdoors until aftershocks passed.
Why Myanmar? A Study of the Sagaing Fault :
Myanmar’s geology puts it at the center of seismic activity. The country is located on top of the Sagaing Fault, a giant tectonic boundary that runs 1,200 kilometers from northern Myanmar to the Andaman Sea. “It’s like ripping a piece of paper apart,” said Dr. Millo, referring to the fault’s involvement in the larger clash between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates that formed the Himalayas and keeps triggering earthquakes from South to Southeast Asia.
The Sagaing Fault is known to have produced destructive quakes in the past. During the period between 1930 and 1956, the region was shaken by six earthquakes greater than 7.0 magnitude. The deadliest, a 7.3 magnitude quake in 1930, killed more than 500 people and leveled thousands of houses. Now fast-forward to 2016: a 6.8 magnitude quake hit Bagan, Myanmar’s ancient capital, toppling temple walls and killing three people. The destruction of Bagan’s UNESCO-listed sites was a grim reminder of the region’s vulnerability.
Region: Bangkok Yunnan
The far-reaching tremors of the latest quake underscore the interconnectedness of Southeast Asia’s geology. In Bangkok, more than 600 kilometers from the epicenter, high-rise buildings swayed for nearly a minute. Authorities temporarily halted metro and rail services, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. “It felt like the floor was liquifying,” said Nalin, a visitor to Bangkok from India. “People were holding onto pillars for support — it was chaos.”
Residents in China’s Yunnan province said furniture had slid across floors, and cracks had opened in older buildings. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) quickly implemented emergency measures, sending teams to survey damage in rural villages. In the meantime, the Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss disaster response plans. “Public safety has to come first,” he said. “We’re in touch with Myanmar and monitoring aftershocks.”
The Broader Trend: Regional Disaster Preparedness
Myanmar’s efforts to combat natural disasters are complicated by political turmoil and economic hardship. Decades of military governments and continuing civil wars have stalled the development of infrastructure, especially in the countryside. According to the World Bank, Myanmar has only 30% of its population with access to reliable healthcare — a statistic that is concerning during emergencies.
Experts say life-saving investment in early-warning systems and earthquake-proof construction might return dividends. Oklahoma State University has partnered with Japan, a global leader in disaster preparedness, to install seismic sensors along the Sagaing Fault. “Technology is not enough,” Dr. Hla Hla Aung, a geologist at Yangon University, said. “We need community education. Villagers must know what to do when the earth shakes.”
Final Thoughts :
Earthquakes show us both the power of nature and the fragility of humanity. But they also show our ability to recover and grow. And from the quaking streets of Sagaing to the quivering skyscrapers of Bangkok, this occasion is a reminder of the pressing need to be prepared, to be kind, and to work together internationally. As Myanmar rebuilds, the world watches and hopes.
