Naypyidaw [Myanmar], May 15: A mild earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on Friday morning, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported.
According to NCS data, the tremor occurred at 9:22 am IST at a depth of 106 kilometres, with the epicentre located at latitude 25.028°N and longitude 94.958°E. The agency confirmed the details in a post on X, noting: “EQ of M: 4.0, On: 15/05/2026 09:22:37 IST… Location: Myanmar.”
Seismologists note that while deeper earthquakes often cause less surface impact, shallower quakes those occurring between 0 and 70 km pose greater danger due to stronger ground shaking.
Earthquakes between 70–300 km are classified as intermediate, and those from 300–700 km as deep-focus, as per data from the United States Geological Survey.
Myanmar remains highly vulnerable to seismic hazards because it lies at the junction of four major tectonic plates: the Indian Plate, Eurasian Plate, Sunda Plate, and Burma Plate. A 1,400-km-long transform boundary, known as the Sagaing Fault, runs through the country, significantly increasing seismic risk for regions including Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon home to nearly half of Myanmar’s population.
Despite its distance from the fault line, Yangon remains susceptible due to its dense population. Historically, the region has experienced significant seismic events, including a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Bago in 1903, which also impacted Yangon.
No immediate reports of damage or casualties were available at the time of filing this report.