A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, triggering a series of twelve aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, as reported by Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on Saturday morning.
Experts have pointed out that the quake occurred along the Sagaing Fault, which marks the eastern edge of the Burmese Arc. Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, explained, "This fault stretches over 1,400 kilometers and moves at an average rate of 20 millimeters per year, making it one of the region's most active tectonic features."
The event is tied to the intense collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, a dynamic interplay that has formed the Himalayan orogenic belt. The Burmese Arc, situated at a critical tectonic junction, is prone to significant crustal deformation and seismic activity.
As aftershocks continue to be recorded, communities and scientists are keeping a close watch on the evolving situation. This seismic activity underscores the importance of robust monitoring and preparedness efforts in one of the most tectonically active regions in the Himalayan belt.
Reference(s):
Aftershocks rattle Myanmar following magnitude-7.7 earthquake
cgtn.com
