Characteristics of 2025 Mandalay (Myanmar) Earthquake and Some Considerations

Authors : Ömer Aydan

Pages : 149-175

Doi:10.17824/yerbilimleri.1694861

View : 78 | Download : 136

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :A great earthquake occurred nearby Mandalay (Myanmar-Burma) along the Sagaing fault having a dextral sense of deformation on March 28, 2025. The estimated preliminary moment magnitude of the earthquake was 7.7 (GCMT, 2025 and USGS 2025) and the local magnitude estimated by the Myanmar Meteorological institute was 8.2. Although the number of casualties reported was more than 5400 so far., this number may increase in view of the number of totally collapsed buildings. The inferred fault lengths from InSAR analyses imply that the fault length is more than 450 km and it is not compatible the estimated magnitude. This issue is argued and the moment magnitude of the earthquake is estimated to be 8. The super shear concept is argued and the it is shown that if the asperity shape is properly is taken into account, the rupture velocity is within the average rupture velocity. The earthquake caused tremendous damage to frame-type reinforced concrete (RC) buildings due to the soft-floor at the ground level in the entire earthquake affected area. Structural and geotechnical damage are explained and the effect of permanent ground eformations due to faulting and lateral spreading are presented. Furthermore, the damage at Bangkok, which is 1050 km away from the earthquake epicenter is explained as long-distance effect and amplification of ground. Damage to a rockfill dam is analysed and it is shown that the damage was due to inertia effect rather than ground liquefaction. It is hope that the characteristics of the 2025 Mandalay (Myanmar) earthquake and drawn lessons from this great earthquake will be usefull to advance and deal with great earthquakes in years to come.
Keywords : Mandalay (Burma) Depremi, kuvvetli yer hareketi, yapısal hasar, jeoteknik hasar

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