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Twin 3.2 Magnitude Earthquakes Strike Myanmar at Varying Depths

Two earthquakes, both measuring magnitude 3.2, struck Myanmar in the early hours of Sunday at different depths. This follows a magnitude 2.8 tremor that occurred in the region just two days prior. Myanmar is highly vulnerable to seismic hazards due to its position between four interacting tectonic plates and the active Sagaing Fault. Major population centers, including Yangon, face significant risk from earthquakes despite their distance from fault lines, as evidenced by historical events.

Key Points: Myanmar Hit by Twin Earthquakes, Seismic Risk Explained

  • Twin M3.2 quakes hit Myanmar
  • One shallow, one deep tremor
  • Country sits on major tectonic plates
  • Dense population near Sagaing Fault at risk
2 min read

Earthquakes of magnitude 3.2 strike Myanmar

Two magnitude 3.2 earthquakes struck Myanmar early Sunday at different depths, highlighting the country's ongoing seismic vulnerability.

"Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes because their seismic waves travel shorter distances to the surface. - Seismology Principle"

Naypyidaw, February 15

A couple of earthquakes of magnitude 3.2 occurred in Myanmar on Sunday, according to a statement from the National Centre for Seismology.

The first earthquake hit Myanmar at a depth of 80 kilometres at 12:26 am IST, followed by one at 12:52 am IST, at a shallow depth of 25 kilometres.

NCS said on X, "EQ of M: 3.2, On: 15/02/2026 00:26:53 IST, Lat: 23.53 N, Long: 94.59 E, Depth: 80 km, Location: Myanmar."

"EQ of M: 3.2, On: 15/02/2026 00:52:42 IST, Lat: 23.44 N, Long: 93.49 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Myanmar," NCS added in a separate post.

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

Earlier on Friday, an earthquake of magnitude 2.8 occurred in Myanmar at a depth of 35 kilometres.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 2.8, On: 13/02/2026 04:44:40 IST, Lat: 23.91 N, Long: 93.85 E, Depth: 35 Km, Location: Myanmar."

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

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The article mentions the shallow depth of 25 km for the second quake. That's concerning. My heart goes out to the people in the affected regions. Natural disasters don't respect borders.
R
Rohit P
Good to see our National Centre for Seismology tracking these events so precisely and sharing the data openly. This kind of scientific cooperation in the region is essential for disaster preparedness.
P
Priyanka N
The tectonic plate explanation was very informative. It's a reminder that the entire Himalayan belt and surrounding areas are seismically active. We in India must also ensure our buildings, especially in old cities, are earthquake-resistant.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, while the scientific data is good, the article could have included more about the on-ground situation in Myanmar. Were there any reports of damage or injuries from local sources? Hope everyone is safe.
K
Kavya N
A series of small quakes can sometimes be a precursor. Hope the authorities there are alert. We've seen the devastation in Nepal and parts of India. Disaster management needs to be a top priority for all governments in South Asia.

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

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