A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck at a depth of 8 kilometres in Rakhine State with its epicentre about 15 miles east of Thandwe Township yesterday morning.
In the same morning, a 4.7-magnitude earthquake with an epicentre 20 miles southeast of Thandwe hit the area at a depth of 51 kilometres.
Daw Hla Hla Aung, Patron of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee, said it occurred along the Thandwe-Taungup fault and there has been increased activity there recently. She said the Indian plate may be sliding under Myanmar’s seismic plate to cause these quakes. She assured that the 5.5-magnitude won’t cause a tsunami as it occurred inland and not on the seafloor. Since January to July this year, Myanmar has experienced 95 light earthquakes and 7 moderate quakes with the epicentre within the country. Daw Hla Hla Aung said the frequency of earthquakes has increased and it is advisable to be cautious.
According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Myanmar experienced 69 inland earthquakes and one in the Andaman Sea in 2017, and 165 quakes in 2018.
Dr Yin Myo Htwe, Director of the Seismological Department, said earthquakes are unpredictable natural disasters. She said they cannot be forecast like most other natural disasters and suggested people living fault lines to be made aware of earthquakes and be prepared accordingly.
Min Thit (MNA)
PHOTO: MOE ZA LA
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar