A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, killing an estimated 3,770 people and injuring over 5,000. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.7-7.9, was felt across the region, including in Thailand, where it caused a construction building to collapse.
The earthquake’s impact highlighted a rare seismic phenomenon: a “supershear boomerang rupture” that may change how we understand large earthquakes. This type of rupture occurs when the earthquake first propagates southward and then rebounds northward, resulting in a more complex pattern of seismic waves.
Researchers from Tsukuba University in Japan analyzed data from the quake and found that it followed this “boomerang effect.” The rupture traveled at speeds faster than typical S-waves, indicating a supershear event. This phenomenon concentrates seismic energy far from the epicenter, amplifying its destructive impact.
The study suggests that such events could be more common than initially thought, given the frequency of powerful earthquakes along the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar. As researchers work to improve forecasting models for these extreme phenomena, they can better prepare for seismic risks globally.
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Source: https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/boomerang-earthquake-a-rare-fault-rupture-spotted-in-myanmar_18762