Sagaing Fault

  • Myanmar Earthquake Cause: Recent earthquakes in Myanmar are attributed to strike-slip faulting along the Sagaing Fault.
  • Tectonic Boundary: The Sagaing Fault is a major, active tectonic boundary separating the Indian and Eurasian Plates.
  • Location and Extent: It runs north-south through Myanmar, stretching 1,500 km from the Andaman Sea to the Eastern Himalayas.
  • Type of Fault: It’s a right-lateral strike-slip fault, characterized by horizontal movement of fault blocks.
  • Plate Movement: The northward movement of the Indian Plate causes stress buildup along the fault.
  • Earthquake Mechanism: Accumulated stress releases energy as seismic waves, leading to earthquakes.
  • Seismic Activity: The fault is one of the most seismically active regions in Southeast Asia.
  • Strike-Slip Faults: Characterized by horizontal movement with minimal vertical displacement, common at transform boundaries.
  • Importance: Understanding the Sagaing Fault is crucial for assessing earthquake risk in Myanmar and surrounding regions.