Myanmar Earthquake Highlights Dangerous Tectonic Position Between Indian and Sunda Plates

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, triggering widespread damage, panic, and concern across Southeast Asia. The quake, which occurred near Mandalay at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers, resulted in collapsed buildings, infrastructure damage, and multiple casualties. Its tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok and parts of eastern India.

This devastating event sheds light on Myanmar’s complex and dangerous tectonic setting. The country lies in a seismically active zone where two major tectonic plates – the Indian Plate and the Sunda Plate – interact. The Indian Plate is slowly moving northeast at a rate of about 5 cm per year, pushing beneath the Burma microplate, a sliver of land caught between the Indian Plate to the west and the Sunda Plate to the east. This geological convergence creates immense pressure underground, making Myanmar highly vulnerable to earthquakes.

The Indian Plate, originating from the Indian Ocean, is one of the fastest-moving tectonic plates on Earth. As it drives into the Eurasian Plate, it not only uplifts the Himalayas in the north but also exerts pressure southeastward along the Andaman Sea and into Myanmar. Meanwhile, the Sunda Plate covers much of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Indonesia. Sandwiched between these two massive plates, Myanmar finds itself in a geological squeeze zone.

At the heart of this seismic activity is the Sagaing Fault – a major continental transform fault that runs roughly north-south through Myanmar. It marks the boundary between the Burma microplate and the Sunda Plate. This fault is highly active and capable of generating large earthquakes. The recent 7.7 quake is believed to have occurred along this fault line or an associated fracture zone.

Historically, the Sagaing Fault has been responsible for numerous destructive earthquakes in the region, including events in 1930, 1956, and 2016. It is considered one of Southeast Asia’s most dangerous faults due to its proximity to densely populated areas like Mandalay and Yangon. With much of the country’s infrastructure not designed to withstand major quakes, the risks to life and property are high.

The effects of this tectonic collision extend beyond Myanmar. In Thailand, especially in high-rise buildings in Bangkok, tremors caused structural cracks and led to emergency evacuations. In northeast India, mild shaking was also reported, though no serious damage occurred. Scientists warn that more such events are possible due to ongoing tectonic movement in this complex region.

This earthquake is a grim reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness. Improved building codes, early warning systems, and public education are essential to reduce future risks. As the Indian and Sunda Plates continue their slow-motion collision beneath Myanmar, the nation remains perched atop one of the world’s most geologically unstable intersections.