A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The quake’s supershear effect caused widespread devastation, killing over 3,700 people and displacing thousands more.
The epicentre of the earthquake was located near Naypyitaw, the capital city, which suffered severe shaking that damaged thousands of structures, including government buildings, hospitals, schools, and homes. The quake also crippled critical infrastructure, bringing down bridges, roads, and major landmarks.
Satellite imagery revealed the full extent of the damage, showing a 200-kilometer-long rupture line that snaked through Myanmar’s rural areas. The destruction was not limited to Myanmar; Thailand suffered a devastating impact, with at least 63 deaths reported in Bangkok alone.
The earthquake’s impact can be attributed to its unique supershear effect, which caused stronger shaking towards the southern end of the rupture. Soft sediment in Bangkok amplified ground shaking, making it one of the most affected areas.
Experts are still working to untangle the complexities of the earthquake’s waveforms and understand the role of various factors that contributed to the devastating impact. However, records from Thailand may provide some insight into the quake’s specific characteristics.
The economic cost of the disaster is estimated to be around $1.9 billion, with thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed. The military junta has begun working on rebuilding critical infrastructure, including government buildings, to withstand future earthquakes of up to 8 magnitude.
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, experts and researchers are racing against time to gather more data and understand the intricacies of this unique event.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/MYANMAR-QUAKE/SUPERSHEAR/zgvojlyojpd