A day of seismic activity rocked the globe on Friday, March 28th, with two significant earthquakes occurring thousands of miles apart. While one struck a remote oceanic region, the other brought devastating consequences to Southeast Asia.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge Tremor:
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake was recorded along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary located in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake's epicenter was at a depth of 6.4 kilometers (approximately four miles).
Earthquake sum up 3pm (Mynamar/Thailand)
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) March 28, 2025
- 7.7 quake hit near Mandalay/Myanmar
- Hundreds of homes collapsed (various Myanmar cities)
- Strong shocks in Thailand + multiple building collapse in Bangkok
- USGS predicts thousands of people dead
(Bangkok clips from social media:) pic.twitter.com/kJodTn6BIg
Despite the relatively strong magnitude, the USGS reported zero felt reports at the time of publication, likely due to the remote location of the epicenter. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is known for its frequent seismic activity, as tectonic plates pull apart and create new crust.
Devastating Earthquake in Southeast Asia:
Hours after the Mid-Atlantic Ridge event, a far more destructive 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Southeast Asia, with its epicenter located in Myanmar (Burma). The impact was severe, with tragic consequences.
According to Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman Min Aung Hlaing, as reported by the Guardian, the earthquake resulted in over 144 fatalities and 732 injuries. The epicenter was located in Mandalay at a depth of 10 kilometers (approximately six miles), according to the USGS.
The USGS received over 1,400 felt reports, highlighting the widespread impact of the quake. Panic gripped the region, with videos surfacing of onlookers in Bangkok, near the Chatuchak market, fleeing as a skyscraper with a crane appeared to crumble.
"Any country, any organization" was invited to help in relief efforts, a rare plea from the isolated junta, signifying the magnitude of the disaster.
Minutes after the 7.7-magnitude quake, a 6.4-magnitude aftershock hit the same region. The USGS received 83 felt reports for this aftershock. Furthermore, reports indicate that a mosque partially collapsed in the Myanmar town of Taungoo, adding to the growing list of casualties.
The two earthquakes, while geographically distant, highlight the constant and powerful forces at play within the Earth's crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge quake serves as a reminder of the continuous geological activity shaping our planet, while the Southeast Asian earthquake underscores the devastating power of these events when they occur in populated areas. The international community's response to the Myanmar disaster will be crucial in providing aid and support to the affected communities.
