Naypyidaw, 27 July — In a span of just 10 hours, Myanmar was shaken by three mild earthquakes on Saturday night and Sunday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), raising concerns over ongoing seismic activity in the region which remains vulnerable due to its complex tectonic setting.
The most recent tremor, measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale, occurred at 10:45 am IST on Sunday. It struck at a depth of 161 km, with its epicentre located at latitude 22.81°N and longitude 95.51°E, the NCS said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Earlier in the day, a stronger quake of magnitude 3.8 hit the region at 00:35 am. It was recorded at a depth of 75 km (Lat 24.48°N, Long 94.58°E). A third tremor, measuring 3.4, had been reported late Saturday night at 11:27 pm, at a depth of 85 km, originating from Lat 27.01°N and Long 96.32°E.
While no immediate damage or casualties were reported from the recent events, the sequence of tremors has once again highlighted Myanmar’s persistent seismic risk. The country lies at the intersection of four active tectonic plates — the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates — making it one of Southeast Asia’s most earthquake-prone regions.
In particular, the Sagaing Fault, a 1,400-kilometre-long transform fault running through Myanmar, connects the Andaman spreading centre to the collision zone in the north. It increases the seismic threat for major population centres such as Mandalay, Bago, Sagaing, and Yangon — which together account for nearly half of the country’s population. Though Yangon lies relatively far from the fault line, its dense urban sprawl makes it especially vulnerable to damage from strong quakes.
The latest tremors come just four months after central Myanmar was struck by devastating twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 6.4 on March 28. The World Health Organization (WHO) had warned soon after of rising health threats — including tuberculosis, HIV, and vector- and water-borne diseases — affecting tens of thousands of displaced persons in the aftermath.
Authorities have advised residents to remain alert and ensure emergency preparedness, especially in quake-sensitive zones across the country.
