NewKerala.com

4.9 Magnitude Quake Hits Myanmar, Region Braces for More Seismic Activity

An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar, occurring at a depth of 96 kilometers. This event follows other recent tremors in the region, including a more dangerous shallow 5.3 magnitude quake. Myanmar's high seismic risk is due to its position between four interacting tectonic plates and the active Sagaing Fault. This fault line significantly increases the hazard for major population centers, including Yangon, despite its distance from the fault trace.

Key Points: 4.9 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Myanmar at Depth

  • 4.9 magnitude quake at 96km depth
  • Follows recent 5.3 and 4.5 tremors
  • Myanmar on multiple tectonic plates
  • Sagaing Fault threatens major cities
  • Shallow quakes cause more damage
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4.9 strikes Myanmar

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, following recent seismic activity. Learn about the region's high risk due to tectonic plates and the Sagaing Fault.

"Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. - National Center for Seismology"

Naypyidaw, February 6

An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 struck Myanmar on Friday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 96km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.9, On: 06/02/2026 06:03:10 IST, Lat: 23.42 N, Long: 94.99 E, Depth: 96 Km, Location: Myanmar."

Earlier on February 2, another earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck the region at a depth of 115km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.5, On: 05/02/2026 00:09:43 IST, Lat: 24.91 N, Long: 95.08 E, Depth: 115 Km, Location: Myanmar."

Earlier on February 3, an earthquake struck the region at a shallow depth of 20km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.3, On: 03/02/2026 21:21:28 IST, Lat: 20.45 N, Long: 93.86 E, Depth: 20 Km, Location: Myanmar."

Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes travel shorter distances to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking, greater structural damage, and higher casualties.

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.

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, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Bago also struck Yangon.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The tectonic plate explanation is very informative. Being sandwiched between four plates explains the frequent seismic activity in the region. It's a reminder for us in Northeast India to also be prepared.
D
David E
The depth makes a huge difference. 96km vs 20km is a world apart in terms of potential damage. Good that the NCS is providing such detailed, real-time data publicly on X.
A
Ananya R
My thoughts are with the people in Myanmar. Natural disasters don't recognize borders. India should be ready to offer humanitarian assistance if needed, just as we did during the 2023 Turkey-Syria quakes.
S
Siddharth J
While the reporting is factual, I wish there was more info on the actual impact. Were there any casualties or damage reported? Magnitude and depth are one thing, but the human impact is what matters most.
K
Kavya N
The geology of our region is so complex! The Sagaing Fault affecting 46% of Myanmar's population is a scary statistic. It's a wake-up call for better infrastructure and early warning systems across South and Southeast Asia.

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

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50