What the record shows for Myanmar
The strongest earthquake on record near Myanmar is a magnitude 7.9 in 1912, centred 32 km NW of Taunggyi, Myanmar - 114 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 826 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 389 km of Myanmar - roughly 41 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 3 tsunamis within 389 km of Myanmar between 1714 and 1930. The most significant was in 1930 near Myanmar Coast, triggered by an M7.4 earthquake, which killed around 500 people.
3 volcanoes are catalogued near Myanmar, including Popa, Lower Chindwin, Singu Plateau. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major strike-slip boundary running the length of the country.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Myanmar.
Earthquake risk in Myanmar - FAQ
Is Myanmar at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 41 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 389 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.9 in 1912.
What was the biggest earthquake in Myanmar?
The strongest earthquake on record near Myanmar is M7.9, in 1912 (32 km NW of Taunggyi, Myanmar), from USGS.
Does Myanmar get tsunamis?
Yes - 3 tsunamis since 1714 (most recently 1930) within 389 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 500 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Myanmar?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.