A series of moderate earthquakes rattled parts of the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions on Thursday, forcing residents in the commercial hub to briefly evacuate buildings as seismologists warn of ongoing instability from a major subterranean fault system.
According to the regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, a 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck at an undisclosed depth approximately seven miles (11 km) northwest of Dedaye Township in the Ayeyarwady Region.
Tremors felt in the commercial capital
Despite its moderate size, the tremor was felt distinctly across Yangon due to the shallow crustal structures in lower Myanmar. Dedaye is situated roughly 49 to 152 miles (80–245 km) south of Yangon and southeast of the Ayeyarwady regional capital, Pathein.
Residents from an array of densely populated Yangon townships reported feeling the ground sway:
- East/South Districts: Thaketa, Dawbon
- West/Central Districts: Kamayut, Sanchaung, Hlaing, Ahlon, Latha, Kyimyindaing
- North Districts: North Okkalapa
“I felt the tremor clearly while inside my home,” a resident of Yangon’s Thaketa Township told DVB, echoing reports from high-rise dwellers across the city who noticed light fixture sways and brief vibrations.
NUG reports second quake in Twante
In a separate announcement, the National Unity Government (NUG) reported that a 4.0 magnitude earthquake occurred almost concurrently on June 11. According to its tracking data, this second tremor was centered in Yangon’s Twante Township at a shallow depth of 6.2 miles (10 km).
Shallow earthquakes typically produce more pronounced localized shaking and vibrations at the surface compared to deeper tectonic movements.
At least five moderate earthquakes ranging from magnitudes 3.5-4.3 have struck in Yangon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay and Sagaing Region’s Tamu Township so far this month.
