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Powerful Earthquake Strikes Myanmar, Felt as Far Away as Bangkok
A significant earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.7, originating near Mandalay, Myanmar, reverberated across the region early Friday. The seismic event was felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand, approximately 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) distant, underscoring the widespread impact of this powerful temblor.
Extensive Damage Reported in Myanmar Cities
Capital City Among Hardest Hit
Myanmar endured the brunt of the seismic activity, with reports indicating substantial destruction in several cities. Naypyidaw, the capital, is among the locations severely affected. Images emerging from the city depict emergency responders engaged in rescue operations, extracting individuals from the debris of buildings that succumbed to the earthquake.
Casualties Reported in Bangkok
In Bangkok, Thai authorities confirmed fatalities at three construction sites. Tragically, these incidents include the collapse of a high-rise structure, highlighting the earthquake’s deadly reach beyond its epicenter.
Seismic Experts Explain Earthquake’s Intensity
Shallow Earthquake Generates Strong Shaking
Experts indicate the earthquake‘s shallow depth along the Sagaing Fault as a key factor in its destructive power. This proximity to the Earth’s surface resulted in unusually intense seismic forces spreading outwards. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) preliminary assessments estimate that potentially 800,000 individuals in Myanmar were within the zone experiencing the most violent tremors.
Potential for High Death Toll
The USGS further suggests that the number of fatalities could surpass 1,000, and possibly climb considerably higher, reflecting the severity of the damage and the population density in the affected zone.
Understanding Earthquakes: Tectonic Plate Dynamics
Earth’s Crust Divided into Plates
The Earth’s outer shell, or crust, is not a single solid piece but rather a mosaic of tectonic plates. These plates fit together in a manner akin to a jigsaw puzzle, forming the planet’s surface.
Plate Movement and Seismic Pressure
Michael Steckler, a geophysicist at Columbia University, explains that while this arrangement is generally stable, movement occurs at the plate boundaries. Pressure accumulates where these sliding plates become lodged or ΰ¦ΰ¦ΰ¦ΰ§. This stress builds incrementally over extended periods β decades or even centuries β until the rock masses abruptly shift, unleashing seismic waves that manifest as an earthquake.
Earthquake Zones: Plate Boundaries
Earthquakes are predominantly concentrated along the margins of these tectonic plates. However, the effects of these seismic events can extend across broader geographical areas.
Impact Near Populated Areas
While undersea earthquakes often go unnoticed, those occurring near populated regions can lead to significant casualties and injuries, largely due to the collapse of buildings and infrastructure.
Earthquake Prediction and Aftershocks
Predicting Location, Not Timing
Will Yeck, a seismologist with the USGS, states that scientists possess considerable knowledge regarding where earthquakes are likely to occur. However, he clarifies that predicting the precise timing of these events remains beyond current scientific capabilities.
Understanding Aftershocks
Following a major earthquake, researchers can project the likelihood of subsequent, smaller earthquakes known as aftershocks in the vicinity.
Cause of Aftershocks
Yeck explains that aftershocks are triggered by shifts in stress within the Earth’s crust caused by the primary, or main, earthquake.
Extended Aftershock Period Expected
Given the considerable magnitude of the earthquake in Myanmar, Steckler anticipates that aftershocks could persist for several months.
Earthquake Safety Measures: Protective Actions During Shaking
Building Codes and Earthquake Resistance
Regions globally recognized as seismically active, such as California and Japan, frequently implement building codes designed to enhance structural resistance to earthquakes. Nevertheless, such stringent building standards are not universally adopted worldwide.
Safety Guidance Varies by Location
Yeck emphasizes that recommended safety procedures during an earthquake depend on geographical location and building standards.
“Drop, Cover, and Hold On” Indoors
In numerous countries, including the United States, established safety protocol advises those indoors during an earthquake to immediately drop to the ground, protect their head β ideally by seeking shelter under a robust piece of furniture like a desk β and hold onto that shelter. It is crucial to avoid proximity to windows and refrain from using elevators.
Outdoor Safety
For individuals outdoors when shaking commences, the recommendation is to move to an open area away from structures, trees, or anything that could potentially collapse or fall.
Secondary Earthquake Hazards
Depending on the specific location and geological conditions, earthquakes can trigger secondary hazards, including landslides, fires, and tsunamis.