NewKerala.com

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Highlighting Nation's Seismic Risk

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Myanmar on January 1, occurring at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. This event follows a magnitude 3.9 tremor that hit the country just days prior, highlighting its persistent seismic activity. Myanmar's high vulnerability stems from its position between four tectonic plates and the presence of the major Sagaing Fault, which threatens nearly half of the nation's population. Historical events, like a 1903 quake that damaged Yangon, and recent major earthquakes underscore the ongoing risk of significant damage and public health crises in the region.

Key Points: Myanmar Hit by 4.6 Magnitude Earthquake

  • Recent 4.6 magnitude quake
  • Tectonic plate complexity
  • Populous Sagaing Fault risk
  • Historical precedent of major damage
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4.6 strikes Myanmar

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Myanmar at a depth of 10 km, following a 3.9 tremor days earlier, underscoring the country's high seismic vulnerability.

"Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis along its long coastline."

Naypyidaw, January 1

An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 struck Myanmar on Thursday evening, as reported by the National Center for Seismology.

In a post on X, the NCS said that the earthquake occurred at 18:48 IST, at a depth of 10 kilometres.

"EQ of M: 4.6, On: 01/01/2026 18:48:59 IST, Lat: 22.79 N, Long: 95.90 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Myanmar."

Earlier, an earthquake of magnitude 3.9 struck Myanmar on Monday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said.

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 130km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 3.9, On: 29/12/2025 21:00:37 IST, Lat: 25.75 N, Long: 96.50 E, Depth: 130 Km, Location: Myanmar."

Myanmar is vulnerable to hazards from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes and tsunamis along its long coastline. Myanmar is wedged between four tectonic plates (the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates) that interact in active geological processes.

In the aftermath of the magnitude 7.7 and 6.4 earthquakes that struck central Myanmar on March 28, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of a series of rapidly rising health threats for tens of thousands of displaced people in earthquake-affected areas: tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and vector- and water-borne diseases.

A 1,400-kilometre transform fault runs through Myanmar and connects the Andaman spreading centre to a collision zone in the north called the Sagaing Fault.

The Sagaing Fault increases the seismic hazard for Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, which together represent 46 per cent of Myanmar's population.

Although Yangon is relatively far from the fault trace, it still suffers from significant risk due to its dense population. For instance, in 1903, an intense earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 that occurred in Bago also struck Yangon.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The geological details are fascinating but also scary. Myanmar is literally sitting on a tectonic sandwich between four plates! This is a reminder for our own authorities in the Northeast and Andaman regions to keep our monitoring and preparedness top-notch.
A
Aman W
Did anyone in Assam or Manipur feel tremors? The epicenter is quite close to our border. Always a bit unnerving when these reports come in.
S
Sarah B
The article is very informative about the fault lines and historical risks. However, I wish it had more current information about this specific quake's impact. Was it even felt on the ground? Just reporting the magnitude and coordinates feels a bit incomplete.
V
Vikram M
Natural disasters don't recognize borders. India should be ready to offer humanitarian aid if needed, like we have in the past. Our NDRF teams are among the best in the world for such situations.
K
Kavya N
The mention of diseases like TB and HIV spreading after a major quake is a crucial point often overlooked. Disaster management isn't just about immediate rescue, but long-term public health. A lesson for all disaster-prone regions, including ours.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50