Twin earthquakes of magnitude 3.2 recorded in Myanmar

Two earthquakes measuring magnitude 3.2 struck Myanmar in the early hours of Sunday, according to India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

The tremors occurred within a gap of less than 30 minutes and were recorded at different depths beneath the surface.

The first earthquake was detected at 12:26 am IST at a depth of 80 kilometres. A second quake of the same magnitude followed at 12:52 am IST, this time at a shallower depth of 25 kilometres.

In updates shared on X, the NCS provided the coordinates and details of both events, confirming their locations in Myanmar.

Seismologists note that shallow earthquakes can pose greater risks than deeper ones, as seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, often resulting in stronger ground shaking.

The latest tremors come just days after a magnitude 2.8 earthquake was recorded in Myanmar on Friday at a depth of 35 kilometres.

Why Myanmar experiences frequent earthquakes

Myanmar is considered highly seismically active due to its complex geological setting. The country sits at the convergence of four major tectonic plates — the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates — which are engaged in continuous movement.

A major transform fault system, extending roughly 1,400 kilometres, runs through the country and connects the Andaman spreading centre with a northern collision zone. Central to this system is the Sagaing Fault, one of the region’s most significant seismic sources.

The Sagaing Fault passes close to several major cities, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon, placing large population centres at elevated seismic risk. Historical records show that powerful earthquakes originating along this fault have previously caused widespread shaking across the region.