Powerful Myanmar Earthquake Releases Energy Equivalent to 334 Atomic Bombs, Geologist Warns of Prolonged Aftershocks

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on Friday has unleashed energy equivalent to 334 atomic bombs, according to a prominent geologist. The quake, centered near the country’s second-largest city of Mandalay, has left a trail of destruction across Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, with experts now cautioning that aftershocks could rattle the region for another two to three months.

Dr. Jess Phoenix, a geologist interviewed by international media, explained that the earthquake’s energy release was comparable to hundreds of Hiroshima-sized nuclear explosions, underscoring its catastrophic potential. “This was a massive event, driven by the ongoing collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian plate beneath Myanmar,” Phoenix said. “The region’s tectonic activity isn’t done yet—aftershocks are likely to continue, posing ongoing risks.”

The earthquake, which hit just before 1:20 p.m. local time on March 28, was followed just 12 minutes later by a significant 6.4-magnitude aftershock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Since then, at least 14 additional aftershocks have been recorded in Myanmar, with more felt across Thailand. The USGS estimates that the initial rupture extended up to 500 kilometers along the Sagaing Fault, a major tectonic boundary running north-south through Myanmar.
Mandalay and the capital, Naypyidaw, have reported widespread damage, with collapsed buildings, buckled roads, and overwhelmed hospitals. A bridge over the Irrawaddy River near Mandalay has also collapsed, complicating rescue efforts.

Experts attribute the region’s vulnerability to its position along the Sagaing Fault, where the Indian Plate slides past the Burma microplate at a rate of 11 to 18 millimeters per year. “This strike-slip fault can produce earthquakes up to magnitude 8, and we’ve seen this kind of destruction before,” said Dr. Roberto Gentile, an earthquake risk expert from University College London. He noted historical precedents, such as a 7.7-magnitude quake in 1946, and warned that the current event’s shallow depth—about 10 kilometers—amplified its surface impact.

The prolonged aftershock warning stems from the fault’s ongoing stress adjustments. “Aftershocks could persist for weeks or even months as the earth settles,” Gentile added. “We’ve already seen a significant one, and more are expected, which could further threaten weakened structures.” The USGS has not yet released an operational aftershock forecast for this event, but similar seismic sequences suggest a tapering series of tremors, potentially including some as strong as magnitude 6 or higher.

Myanmar’s military junta has declared a state of emergency in Naypyidaw and six states, accepting aid from India and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre, while the United Nations has reportedly pledged $5 million in emergency support. Rescue operations remain hampered by the country’s ongoing civil war and damaged infrastructure, with reports of slow progress in searching collapsed buildings. In Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Bangkok an area of emergency.

Photo credit Unicef