A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, early on Friday, March 28, 2025, shaking regions as far as Bangkok, approximately 1,300 kilometers away. The epicenter was located near the Sagaing Fault, a geologically active zone. Two major cities in Myanmar, including the capital Naypyidaw, experienced catastrophic damage, with rescue teams seen extracting victims from collapsed buildings. Authorities in Bangkok confirmed fatalities at three construction sites, including a high-rise building. According to preliminary reports from the U.S. Geological Survey, over 800,000 people may have been exposed to intense shaking, and the fatalities toll is expected to exceed 1,000. This seismic event highlights the unstable interactions between tectonic plates that form the Earth’s crust.

Experts explained that the earthquake’s strength was amplified by its shallow depth beneath the Earth’s surface. Columbia University geophysicist Michael Steckler stated that tectonic plates, though generally stable, can suddenly shift when pressure builds over time. This sudden movement releases energy, causing ground shaking. Following the main shock, researchers anticipate numerous aftershocks over the coming months due to stress changes in the Earth’s crust. The lack of earthquake-resistant infrastructure in some regions intensified the devastation. In nations like Japan and the United States, strict construction codes help minimize structural collapse. However, this is not universally applied. Scientists emphasized that while the timing of earthquakes remains unpredictable, preparation through education and resilient architecture remains essential to mitigate future disasters.