Fault Lines and Frontlines: The 2025 Myanmar Quake and the Urgent Need for Preparedness
Introductions: What Is an Earthquake, and Why Do They Happen?
An earthquake happens when the Earth’s crust, the outermost layer of our planet, suddenly shifts or cracks due to built-up stress deep underground. Imagine stretching a rubber band—it holds for a while, but if kept pulling, it eventually snaps. That sudden release of energy causes a quake. Under the ground, giant slabs of rock called tectonic plates are constantly moving, although very slowly. These plates sometimes push against or slide past each other, building up pressure. When the pressure becomes too much, the rocks break or slip, sending shockwaves through the Earth. These waves are what we feel as an earthquake. In Myanmar’s case, this movement occurred along a special fault line known as the Sagaing fault, a place where two of these massive plates, the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, are always in a slow-motion collision. This movement is not only normal—it is unstoppable. The Earth is constantly reshaping itself, and sometimes, that process can be violent and deadly.
How Do Scientists Study Earthquakes?
Studying earthquakes is a bit like being a detective. Scientists, known as seismologists, use tools called seismographs to record the shaking of the Earth. They look at how fast and strong the waves move, how deep the quake happened, and what kind of fault caused it. They also study past earthquakes, looking at written records, cracks in the ground, and changes in the landscape to piece together what happened. Over time, this helps them make damage prediction models, like those from the U.S. Geological Survey. These models can estimate how many people might die, how many buildings might be damaged, and how wide the shaking might spread. But even with all our technology, predicting the exact time and place of the next earthquake is still impossible. That’s why preparedness is so important—so we are not caught off guard when nature strikes.
The 2025 Myanmar Earthquake – A Devastating Day
On 28 March 2025, just before lunchtime, the ground in Myanmar shook with terrifying force. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near the city of Mandalay, the second-largest city in the country. This was not just a little rumble—it was one of the most powerful types of earthquakes. It was followed just 11 minutes later by a strong aftershock of magnitude 6.4. These were no ordinary shakes. Homes crumbled, historic buildings were reduced to dust, and entire communities were left homeless. In Mandalay alone, many of the city’s iconic pagodas, mosques, and bridges were either damaged or totally collapsed. Tragically, thousands of people died, and many more were injured or displaced. Even as far away as Bangkok, Thailand—almost 1,000 km from the epicentre—the effects were felt. One tall building under construction fell entirely, and water from rooftop pools sloshed and spilled due to a phenomenon called seismic seiches. These are movements in large bodies of water caused by the shaking of the Earth. Though the physical shaking in Bangkok was minor, these strange movements showed just how far the effects of an
The Sagaing Fault – A Moving Monster Beneath the Feet
So, what makes the Sagaing fault so dangerous? It is a type of fault called a strike-slip fault, where two blocks of the Earth’s crust slide past each other sideways rather than one going over or under the other. This fault stretches about 1,400 km across Myanmar, from the Andaman Sea in the south to the Himalayas in the north. It is a bit like a hidden crack in a wall that runs the entire length of a house. Because the Sagaing fault lies between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, it absorbs a huge amount of strain from their constant movement. Scientists have measured the slip rate—how fast the sides of the fault move past each other—as being 15 to 25 millimetres per year. That may not sound like much, but over decades, that movement builds up massive stress. And eventually, just like the rubber band, the rocks snap. Earthquakes on this fault usually happen very close to the surface—only about 10 to 15 km deep—which makes them especially damaging to cities and villages above. Mandalay’s location right next to the fault makes it extremely vulnerable.
Why the Ground Shakes Harder in Some Places
Not all places near an earthquake feel it the same way. The type of ground beneath an individual’s feet matters. Mandalay and the southern parts of the Sagaing fault sit on alluvial soil, which is soil made from layers of soft materials like sand, clay, and gravel, brought there over thousands of years by rivers like the Irrawaddy. This soft soil acts like a sponge and actually amplifies the earthquake’s waves, making the shaking worse. It is a bit like jumping on a hard floor versus jumping on a trampoline. The energy is absorbed differently, and the softer surface tends to wobble more. That is why, even buildings that might have survived elsewhere collapsed in Mandalay. On the other hand, northern areas, such as China’s Yunnan Province, sit on firmer bedrock, which does not shake as much, so they experienced far less damage. The direction of the wave energy also matters. In 2025, the energy from the earthquake mostly travelled in a north-south direction, sparing India’s eastern states, which lie to the west.
A Long History of Earthquakes in Myanmar
This was not the first time Myanmar was hit by a powerful earthquake. The region has a long and tragic history of seismic activity. In 1839, the Ava earthquake struck, likely along the same fault, killing more than 500 people. Other major earthquakes happened in 1927, 1946, and more recently in 2016 near Bagan, a city famous for its thousands of ancient temples. These events show that the Sagaing fault has been active for centuries, and experts warn that this pattern will continue. The fault moves in sections, releasing energy in one area, then later in another. Scientists believe half the fault has already ruptured in the last few decades. That means the other half still holds potential energy that might one day be released in another big quake. Understanding these patterns helps scientists predict where future earthquakes might happen, even if they cannot say exactly when.
The Human Cost and the Struggle to Recover
The worst part of any earthquake is not the shaking—it is what happens to people. In Mandalay, over 1.5 million people were affected. Many lost their homes, their loved ones, and their sense of safety. Hospitals were overwhelmed, roads were blocked, and basic needs like clean water and food became hard to find. Rural villages near the epicentre faced even greater struggles, with landslides cutting them off from help. And to make matters worse, Myanmar is already a country facing civil conflict, which makes it harder for rescue teams and aid organisations to reach those in need. Many families were left without shelter, medical care, or hope. The earthquake exposed not just natural vulnerabilities, but also the human and political weaknesses that can make a disaster even worse.
Echoes in the Region – A Warning for South Asia
The shockwaves from Myanmar’s earthquake were not just physical—they were symbolic. For India, which shares tectonic boundaries with Myanmar and sits on one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the world, the Mandalay earthquake is a loud wake-up call. India has experienced many deadly earthquakes too, like the 2001 Bhuj earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake, which killed thousands. Yet in many places, buildings are still not made to withstand shaking, and people are not taught how to stay safe. The danger is not just in the ground—it is in the lack of preparation. Cities in India’s northeast and parts of the Himalayan region are especially at risk because they lie close to active faults, much like Mandalay.
What Can Be Done – Preparing for the Next One
So, what can we do to stay safe? Scientists and engineers have many suggestions that can save lives. First, buildings need to follow strict construction codes that make them strong enough to handle shaking. This means using materials that bend instead of break and designing structures that do not fall easily. Older buildings should be retrofitted, which means adding new support to make them safer. Governments should invest in early warning systems, which can detect the first signs of an earthquake and alert people to take cover—even if it is just a few seconds in advance. These precious moments can mean the difference between life and death. Public awareness is also key. People should be taught how to respond during a quake: drop, cover, and hold on. Schools can run drills, families can plan escape routes, and cities can map out safe zones. It is all about being ready before disaster strikes.
Conclusion: A Future That Learns from the Past
The 2025 Mandalay earthquake should not be forgotten. It was a tragedy, yes, but also a lesson. It showed us how powerful the Earth can be, and how fragile our lives and cities are in comparison. But it also showed that with science, planning, and cooperation, we can reduce the harm. Countries like Myanmar, India, and others in Southeast Asia must work together—sharing research, helping each other build better systems, and preparing their people. Earthquakes will continue to happen. That is a fact. But the suffering caused by them does not have to. We must learn, act, and build a future where the ground may shake—but our lives and homes remain standing.
