A 5.5 Richter Scale quake hit Myanmar centering Kathar

Published 5 March 2020

Aung Thu Tun & San Htoo Aung

Kathar - A moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.0 Richter Scale with its epicenter inside Myanmar (about 21 miles northwest of Katha), latitude 24.44°N, longitude 96.16°E, depth 5 kilometers, about 94 miles northeast of Kanbalu seismological observatory was recorded on March 4, 2020, announced Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).

“It is near Sagaing Fault and it is likely that the quake is initiated by Sagaing Fault. The depth is shallow and damages will be big but it will be depended on the quality of the buildings,” said Dr. Kyaw Moe Oo, Director General of the DMH.

“The quake hit near Kathar may damage old buildings,” said seismologist Tint Lwin Swe.

Religious buildings in Yan Aung Myin Satae Mingalar Monastery in Mawlu, Inntaw Township, Sagaing Region are damaged.

“The archway of the Yan Aung Myin Satae Mingalar Monastery is collapsed and walls are cracked. A bridge crossing over a creek is raised for about one foot. I heard a wall of a monastery is collapsed,” said a local.

A slight earthquake of magnitude 3.5 Richter Scale with its epicenter inside Myanmar (about 15 miles north-northwest of Kalewa), latitude 23.41°N, longitude 94.28°E, depth 36 kilometers, about 54 miles south of Tamu seismological observatory was recorded on March 4, 2020, announced the DMH.

“Indian and Myanmar faults are located near Tamu. There are smaller faults nearby. Small quakes hit near Tamu frequently,” said Dr. Kyaw Moe Oo.

Sagaing Fault, a 600-mile long fault stretching from north to south and Myanmar, also has small faults in addition to Kyaukkyan and Kabaw faults.

Many of Myanmar's earthquakes are caused by the Indian tectonic plate that is moving against Myanmar plate and it caused Sagaing Fault and other faults, according to Myanmar Earthquake Committee.

Active small quakes caused by the moving of tectonic plate may assume to reduce major quakes but it may cause a condition in which a major quake may occur, according to the committee.

The quake is a danger which cannot be expected in advance. People need to check buildings and furniture to avoid casualties and government departments have to be alerted to respond and prepare, said experts.