Powerful Earthquake Rocks Myanmar And Thailand

A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The magnitude 7.7 tremor devastated Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. As of March 31, officials have confirmed more than 1,700 deaths. Over 3,400 are injured, and 139 people are still missing.

In neighboring Thailand, the quake claimed 11 lives in Bangkok when a 33-story high-rise under construction collapsed. Rescue teams are still looking for 78 missing people at the building site.

What causes earthquakes?

Earth consists of three main layers. At its center is a molten, mostly metallic core. Surrounding this is the mantle, a hot, nearly solid layer of rock. The outermost layer is the crust, which is broken into large, interlocking tectonic plates that continuously move against each other.

These plates move at different speeds and in various directions on the mantle's softer layer. As they shift, stress builds up. When this stored energy is suddenly released, it causes the ground to shake — an earthquake. If the energy release happens beneath the ocean, it can generate powerful waves called tsunamis.

Why is Myanmar prone to earthquakes?

Myanmar experiences frequent earthquakes, with magnitude 6.0 or higher occurring roughly every few years. Before this, the most destructive was a magnitude 7.3 tremor in 1930. It killed over 500 people and caused widespread structural damage.

The country is prone to earthquakes due to its location at the boundaries of the Indian, Eurasian, and Sunda plates. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) believes the March 28 earthquake resulted from the Indian and Eurasian plate slide horizontally past each other. This type of movement is called "strike-slip faulting."

Devastation in Myanmar

The March 28 earthquake caused widespread destruction in and around Mandalay. Scores of buildings collapsed, roads buckled, and bridges were destroyed. Mandalay Airport sustained damage, and the control tower in Naypyidaw, the capital city, toppled, halting flights to both cities. Spotty communication caused by downed power lines has further complicated rescue efforts. This has made it difficult for search teams and heavy equipment to reach affected areas. As a result, the search for survivors is mainly being carried out by residents, moving rubble by hand and with shovels in sweltering 105°F (41°C) heat.

Many of Mandalay’s 1.5 million residents are now living on the streets. Some have lost their homes, while others fear aftershocks could bring down unstable structures. The few hospitals still operational are struggling with the large number of injured patients. Meanwhile, medical supplies, food, and clean water remain in short supply.

Relief efforts underway

Despite the challenges, aid is beginning to arrive. Late on March 29, 2025, two Indian military transport aircraft landed in Naypyidaw with a mobile hospital unit and 120 trained doctors and nurses. The team plans to set up a 60-bed emergency treatment center. India has also sent food and other essential supplies.

Meanwhile, China has dispatched 17 cargo trucks carrying shelter and medical supplies. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are also sending essential equipment and medical aid, while Britain has announced a $13 million aid package to support relief efforts.

#StayStrongMyanmar!

Resources: Vox.com, CNN.com, NPR.com, APnews.com