The March 28, 2025, earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand resulted in severe damage attributed to soil liquefaction and resonating building vibrations. Significant impacts were felt in Bangkok, with several aftershocks and fatalities reported. The Sagaing Fault was identified as the earthquake’s source, prompting a state of emergency in affected regions.
On March 28, 2025, an earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand, resulting in substantial destruction according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) of India. The intense shaking coincided with the natural vibrations of buildings, exacerbating the damage. O.P. Mishra, head of the NCS, indicated that soil liquefaction played a significant role in the devastation, occurring when the ground behaves like a liquid due to the seismic activity.
Soil liquefaction is prevalent in areas with loose, saturated soil, such as near rivers or coastal regions. When seismic waves vibrate through the ground, water trapped between soil particles forces them apart, ultimately leading to a loss of structural integrity. Consequently, various infrastructures, including buildings and roads, may sink, tilt, or collapse, as explained by Mr. Mishra.
Notably, Bangkok, located over 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter in Mandalay, experienced severe damage. The direction of the rupture facilitated the earthquake’s effects reaching the capital. The NCS reported that the tremor, with a magnitude of 7.5, was followed by seven aftershocks ranging from 3.5 to 7 in magnitude, with Northeast India also feeling the impact.
The earthquake’s genesis was traced to the Sagaing Fault, approximately 1,200 kilometers east of the Indo-Burma subduction zone, causing energy to disperse towards Bangkok. A critical factor in the destruction was the alignment of the earthquake’s frequency with the natural vibration frequency of buildings. The NCS noted that this resonance heightened the vulnerability of the structures involved.
A significant aftershock of magnitude 7 occurred a mere 12 minutes later, near the initial earthquake’s epicenter. Historical context indicates that the region is prone to major earthquakes, including notable events in 1912 and 1956. Reports have confirmed at least three fatalities in Bangkok, alongside the tragic collapse of a high-rise construction, leading to numerous individuals being buried under debris. In light of the calamity, Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency across six regions, including Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.
The earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, 2025, caused severe structural damage due to both soil liquefaction and the natural frequency alignment with vibrations from the earthquake. Significant aftershocks followed, and multiple regions were affected, including Bangkok, which is over 1,000 kilometers from the epicenter. The incident has led to fatalities and a state of emergency declared by Myanmar’s military government. The event highlights the geological vulnerabilities present in the region, reminding of historically devastating earthquakes.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
