Myanmar, Dec 13: An earthquake of magnitude 3.9 struck Myanmar in the early hours of Saturday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake occurred at 07:14 AM (Indian Standard Time) at a depth of 115 kilometres.
The NCS reported the following coordinates: Latitude 24.79 N, Longitude 94.99 E, with a depth of 115 km, and confirmed the location as Myanmar. The earthquake adds to a series of recent seismic events in the region. Just days before, another earthquake of magnitude 3.8 was recorded in Myanmar on Thursday, and earlier on Wednesday, a 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit at a depth of 138 km.
Myanmar is located in a seismically active zone, being bordered by four tectonic plates: the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates. These plates are involved in frequent geological activity, making the region particularly vulnerable to both moderate and large earthquakes, as well as tsunamis along its lengthy coastline.
In the aftermath of the severe magnitude 7.7 and 6.4 earthquakes that struck central Myanmar on March 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about the rising health threats faced by tens of thousands of displaced people. These included risks of tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and various water- and vector-borne diseases.
The region's seismic risk is heightened by the presence of the Sagaing Fault, a major 1,400-kilometre-long transform fault that runs through Myanmar and connects the Andaman spreading centre to a collision zone in the north. This fault significantly increases the seismic hazard for regions like Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, which together house almost half of Myanmar’s population. Despite Yangon being somewhat distant from the fault line, its dense population makes it particularly vulnerable. Notably, in 1903, an intense earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck Bago and Yangon, highlighting the ongoing seismic risk.
The NCS and local authorities continue to monitor the situation as Myanmar remains at risk for further seismic events.
