Naypyidaw, Myanmar — December 8: A magnitude 3.8 earthquake occurred in Myanmar on Monday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported on X. The event was recorded at 10:18:51 IST on 08/12/2025 at latitude 23.06 N, longitude 94.51 E, and a focal depth of about 80 km.
The NCS also noted an earlier, smaller quake on December 5. That event measured magnitude 3.3 and was logged at 20:23:04 IST on 05/12/2025 at latitude 27.07 N, longitude 96.33 E, with a shallow depth of 10 km.
Seismologists note that shallow earthquakes, like the Dec. 5 tremor, often pose greater hazard to surface structures than deeper events because seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface and can produce stronger ground shaking.
Myanmar occupies a complex tectonic setting, bounded by the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda and Burma plates. A roughly 1,400-kilometre transform fault runs through the country, linking the Andaman spreading centre in the south to a collision zone in the north known as the Sagaing Fault. The Sagaing Fault elevates seismic risk for several major population centres — Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago and Yangon — which together account for about 46 percent of the nation’s population. Even though Yangon lies somewhat distant from the fault trace, its dense population makes it vulnerable to significant damage from strong quakes; historical events such as the 1903 Bago earthquake (estimated magnitude 7.0) also impacted Yangon.
Larger events earlier this year underscored these risks. On March 28, central Myanmar was struck by earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 6.4; in their aftermath, the World Health Organization warned of escalating health threats for tens of thousands of displaced people, including increased risks of tuberculosis, HIV-related complications, and vector- and water-borne diseases.
This report is based on syndicated material received by the publisher and includes NCS and WHO statements. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the original feed’s accuracy or completeness.
