Myanmar Earthquake March 28, 2025 Explained: Sagaing Fault, Plate Movement, and Causes

Myanmar-Thailand में 7.7 तीव्रता का Earthquake! Mandalay.

Why Did the Earthquake Occur in Myanmar (Mandalay) on March 28, 2025?

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar (Mandalay) on March 28, 2025, was caused by tectonic activity along the Sagaing Fault, which lies at the boundary between the Indian Plate and the Sunda Tectonic Plate.

1. Tectonic Plate Movements

• The Indian Plate is moving northward at a speed of about 4.6 cm per year and colliding with the Eurasian Plate.

• The Sunda Tectonic Plate is part of the larger Eurasian Plate and is affected by the movement of the Indian Plate.

• This ongoing plate movement builds up stress along the faults in Myanmar, leading to frequent earthquakes.

2. Sagaing Fault and Myanmar Earthquake

• The Sagaing Fault is a major strike-slip fault that runs north to south through Myanmar, passing near Mandalay.

• This fault accommodates the relative motion between the Indian Plate and the Sunda Tectonic Plate.

• When stress builds up along the fault due to plate movements, it is suddenly released in the form of seismic waves, causing an earthquake.

3. Seismic Waves and Surface Damage

• The Myanmar earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 km, meaning the seismic waves reached the surface quickly and caused severe shaking in Mandalay and surrounding areas.

• These seismic waves were strong enough to collapse buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure in Myanmar.

4. History of Earthquakes in Myanmar

• Myanmar has experienced major earthquakes in the past due to its location near active tectonic boundaries.

• The 2025 Mandalay earthquake is one of the strongest in recent years, similar to previous earthquakes that have struck along the Sagaing Fault.

Conclusion

The earthquake in Myanmar (Mandalay) on March 28, 2025, was caused by the movement of the Indian Plate against the Sunda Tectonic Plate, leading to a sudden release of seismic waves along the Sagaing Fault. Because of the shallow depth, the earthquake caused severe destruction in Mandalay and surrounding areas.