By A Correspondent

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) .

The epicenter was located 16km (10 miles) northwest of Sagaing, at a depth of 10km. Strong tremors were felt hundreds of miles away in Thailand and southwestern China.

The earthquake caused significant damage in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. Buildings in Bangkok sustained damage, while roads in Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, buckled. Many buildings in Bangkok are not designed to withstand earthquakes, raising concerns about the extent of the damage.

The Thai government has called an emergency meeting to assess the situation. Reports indicate that some parts of West Malaysia, specifically in Butterworth, Penang, also felt the tremor.

At least 107 deaths have been reported: 103 in Myanmar and 4 in Thailand ². The earthquake occurred due to strike-slip faulting at a depth of 10 km (6.2 mi) on the Sagaing Fault, which runs through central Myanmar.

This region is prone to earthquakes due to its location between four tectonic plates—the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates. The Sagaing Fault is Myanmar’s largest and most active source of earthquakes, running through or close to major cities, including Yangon, Naypyidaw, and Mandalay.