Things you need to know about earthquakes like those that hit Myanmar

Earlier on Friday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that began near Mandalay in Myanmar shook the earth to about 800 miles (1,300 km) of Bangkok.

Two hard hit cities in Myanmar are images of Naypyidaw, an image of the capital, showing rescuers pulling victims from the tiled rub of a fallen building. Bangkok authorities said deaths occurred at three construction sites, including the collapsed high rise.

Experts say earthquakes occur along Sagar’s faults, close to the surface of the Earth, creating severe seismic forces. Preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey show that nearly 800,000 Myanmar are within the most violent shaking zone, with deaths of over 1,000, likely and much higher.

What are earthquakes and why do they occur in certain parts of the world?

The Earth’s crust is divided into several pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

The layer is “almost stable, but along the moving edge,” said Michael Steckler, a geophysicist at Columbia University.

Pressure will be applied when the sliding plate gets stuck.

Earthquakes usually occur along the edge of the tectonic plate. However, their effects may be felt in a wider region.

Earthquakes that occur at sea aren’t always attracting attention, but earthquakes that occur near where people live can mostly cause death or injuries from collapsed buildings.

What do scientists know about earthquakes in advance?

Scientists have a good idea of ​​where earthquakes can occur, but “but we can’t predict when they will occur,” USGS seismologist Will Yeck said.

However, after the first major earthquake, researchers can predict that other small earthquakes nearby, called the Apondic, are likely.

Aftershocks are caused “due to changes in the stress of the Earth from the main impact,” Yek said.

Given the magnitude of the earthquake in Myanmar, “We’ll probably see aftershocks over the next few months,” Steckler said.

What should I do if I’m in a building when the earthquake shaking begins?

Building standards are often designed to withstand earthquakes in regions around the world with known active fault lines, including California and Japan. But that’s not true everywhere.

“If you feel trembling, the guidance depends on where you are in the world,” Yek said.

In many countries, including the US, if you are inside when an earthquake occurs, it is best to fall on the ground and cover your head, for example, raw under a desk or other sturdy structure, and retain that structure. Avoid areas near glass windows and avoid using building elevators.

If you are outside, try to stay away from buildings and trees that may fall.

In some locations there may be secondary dangers caused by earthquakes such as landslides, fires and tsunamis, he said.

©2025 Associated Press. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. This material will not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.