By Maung Dagon/MPA
Four earthquakes struck near Nyaungdon Township in Ayeyarwady Region within an hour, shaking several townships in both Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions and causing concern among residents.
According to a news release from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck near Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyarwady Region, at a depth of 10 kilometers at around 4:36 a.m. on March 5.
Three aftershocks followed. The first, with a magnitude of 4.8, occurred at 4:54 a.m. The second, measuring 3.5, was recorded at 5:20 a.m., and the third, at 3.1 magnitude, happened at 5:23 a.m.
U Soe Thura Tun, former chairman of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee, said the area experiences earthquakes in a scattered pattern rather than from a single fault line movement. He explained that this is a natural phenomenon and compared it to the formation of young land ridges in the delta. Based on his experience, he does not believe a major earthquake will result from these tremors.
The three aftershocks were centered 10, 23, and 25 miles southeast of Nyaungdon Township.
Many residents reported feeling the tremors strongly and left their buildings for safety. A resident of Maubin Township said the shaking was intense, forcing them to go downstairs, where they stayed until morning. They felt the tremors three or four times and even experienced dizziness while standing outside.
The four earthquakes occurred at depths of 10 to 18 kilometers and were strongly felt in townships such as Nyaungdon, Maubin, Pathein, and Mawlamyinegyun in Ayeyarwady Region. The tremors also caused high-rise buildings in Yangon to sway.
A 40-year-old resident of Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, said he was startled awake by a sudden tremor in the early morning and noticed his building swaying. A 30-year-old man from Thingangyun Township expressed fear over the shaking buildings, saying he was unsure whether they could withstand future earthquakes.
The earthquakes were significantly felt in multiple townships in Yangon, including South Okkalapa, North Okkalapa, Insein, Mingaladon, Htantabin, Hlaingthaya, South Dagon, North Dagon, Thingangyun, East Dagon, and Tamwe.
A previous earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 had struck Taikkyi Township on March 3, increasing concerns among Yangon residents. One resident from South Okkalapa Township described hearing a loud, thumping sound followed by shaking. They were unsure whether to run downstairs, fearing the building might collapse.
Myanmar is located on several major fault lines, including the Sagaing Fault, Kyaukkyan Fault, Kaladan Fault, and Kabaw Fault, which are capable of producing earthquakes of magnitude 6 and above. Additionally, the country has around 40 minor fault lines that can generate smaller earthquakes ranging from magnitude 2 to 5.
Historically, Myanmar has experienced destructive earthquakes. In 1930, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Bago along the Sagaing Fault, killing over 550 people. In 2011, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Shan State claimed 80 lives.
The Sagaing Fault runs from Putao in Kachin State down to the Gulf of Mottama, passing through major cities such as Myitkyina, Thabeikkyin, Tagaung, Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Taungoo, Phyu, Bago, and Yangon. Since the last major earthquake on this fault occurred over 90 years ago, experts warn that another strong quake could happen in the future.
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 1 and 4.9 are considered minor, while those between 5 and 5.9 are moderate and cause minor damage. Earthquakes measuring between 6 and 7.5 are strong and can result in significant damage, while those exceeding 7.6 can cause widespread destruction. Myanmar has experienced earthquakes as strong as magnitude 7.5 in the past.
Given the country’s seismic activity, authorities and residents are urged to remain prepared for potential future earthquakes.
