19.05.2025 15:30
During the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Myanmar, the moment a fault line moved was captured on camera for the first time. Scientists describe the footage as "groundbreaking." In the approximately 15-second video, the ground is seen shaking, followed by a displacement of up to 6 meters as the fault line between two tectonic plates slips. Researchers indicate that this footage could usher in a new era in the field of seismology.
For the first time in the history of earthquake research, the moment a fault line moved was clearly captured on camera. Scientists describe the footage as "groundbreaking."
Extraordinary images recorded during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Myanmar on March 28 were captured by a security camera at a solar energy facility south of Mandalay.
The approximately 15-second video shows the ground shaking first, followed by a displacement of up to 6 meters as the fault line between two tectonic plates slips. The footage was first shared on Facebook and received over 12,000 likes after being uploaded to YouTube.
California earthquake geologist Wendy Bohon stated, "This is a unique record that allows us to see something we theoretically knew in real life. We only had computer models before, and now we see the reality."
Prof. John Vidale from the University of Southern California also commented, "There has not been another video recording that shows ground rupture this clearly until now. The images could open a new era in earthquake science."
Myanmar is located on the 1,200 km long Sagaing Fault, where the Indian and Sunda tectonic plates grind against each other. These plates move at a speed of approximately 5 cm per year.
Geologists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences noted in a report published in January that there was a dangerous accumulation of energy in the middle section of the Sagaing fault and that it was "likely to give rise to major earthquakes in the near future." Just two months after this warning, a major earthquake occurred.
In the March earthquake, more than 5,300 people lost their lives. This figure has been recorded as the second deadliest earthquake in Myanmar's modern history.
Geology professors state that these images will be included in textbooks and will inspire a new generation of earth scientists. One expert commented, "These images are an invaluable resource for understanding the power of nature and the dynamics of the earth."
In comments on the video shared on social media, many people expressed their horror at the destructive power of the earthquake, while some users stated, "I notice new details every time I watch the video."