Naypyidaw, May 15, 2026, BNN Web Staff: A moderate earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on Friday morning, according to the National Centre for Seismology.
The tremor was recorded at 9:22 am IST at a depth of 106 kilometres beneath the surface. Seismological data showed the quake’s epicentre was located at latitude 25.028 North and longitude 94.958 East.
In an update shared on social media platform X, the seismology agency said the earthquake occurred deep underground, reducing the likelihood of major surface damage.
Experts note that deeper earthquakes generally cause less destruction compared to shallow tremors because seismic waves lose intensity before reaching the surface. Earthquakes are categorised into shallow, intermediate and deep zones depending on their depth below the Earth’s crust.
According to the United States Geological Survey, earthquakes occurring between 70 and 300 kilometres below the surface are classified as intermediate-depth quakes, while those deeper than 300 kilometres are considered deep-focus earthquakes.
Myanmar remains one of the most seismically active countries in the region due to its location between the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda and Burma tectonic plates. The country is also intersected by the 1,400-kilometre-long Sagaing Fault, a major geological fault line linked to several powerful earthquakes in the past.
The fault zone poses a significant risk to major cities including Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago and Yangon, where a large portion of the country’s population resides. Historical records show that strong earthquakes originating near the Sagaing Fault have previously caused damage across Myanmar, including in Yangon.
Authorities have not reported any casualties or structural damage so far.
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