Why is Myanmar prone to strong earthquakes?

Myanmar is geographically located on the 1,200 km long Sagaing fault zone, which is believed to be the reason why the country often experiences strong earthquakes.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 not only caused damage to the country, but also spread to many countries in the region. Reuters quoted Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechachai as saying that 3 people were confirmed dead due to the earthquake. Meanwhile, Thai rescuers are trying to rescue 81 people still trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building in the capital Bangkok.

In Myanmar, AFP quoted a doctor at a hospital in the capital Naypyidaw as saying that about 20 people were killed. The earthquake also caused serious damage to many houses and buildings.

A house in Mandalay city, Myanmar collapsed to one side after the earthquake on March 28.

Experts say the main cause of earthquake risk in Myanmar comes from the Sagaing Fault, a major fault between the Indian and Sunda tectonic plates. The Sagaing Fault has been linked to notable earthquakes including a magnitude 7.7 quake in 1946 and a magnitude 6.8 one in 2012, highlighting the seismic activity of the area.

Myanmar Earthquake Witness: '5-storey building collapsed before my eyes'

According to News18 , the Sagaing fault involves two blocks of land moving past each other, with an estimated movement rate of 11 mm to 18 mm per year. The constant movement creates collisions that eventually release earthquakes. The measured displacement rate is up to 18 mm per year, indicating significant movements and thus a build-up of energy, which eventually causes a strong earthquake when it collides.

House in Mandalay city, Myanmar collapsed after earthquake

Earthquakes occur when the Earth's tectonic plates move against each other, creating friction. This sudden movement along a fault zone causes the ground to shake violently and can sometimes lead to landslides, floods, and tsunamis.

Myanmar is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. According to the Global Earthquake Risk Map, Myanmar is in the "red zone", which means the risk of an earthquake is medium to high.

Myanmar authorities have declared a state of emergency in six regions. Meanwhile, in Thailand, the government has declared Bangkok a "disaster zone" and the Bangkok governor has been tasked with coordinating response efforts, according to Reuters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-myanmar-de-xuat-hien-dong-dat-manh-18525032820013668.htm