1912 Maymyo earthquake

1912 Maymyo earthquake

1912 Maymyo earthquake (Myanmar)
UTC time	1912-05-23 02:24:04
ISC event	16958191
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	23 May 1912
Local time	09:00:00
Duration	more than 60 seconds
Magnitude	7.5-8.0 Mw
Epicenter	22.35°N 96.737°E / 22.35; 96.737
Fault	Kyaukkyan fault
Type	Strike-slip
Areas affected	Myanmar
Total damage	Widespread and severe
Max. intensity	IX (Violent)

The 1912 Maymyo earthquake was a powerful earthquake that struck Burma on the morning of May 23 1912, with an epicenter near Taunggyi and Pyin Oo Lwin. It was one of the largest earthquakes in the country.

Earthquake

The earthquake registered between magnitude 7.5 to 8.0. It was preceded by two foreshocks on May 18 and 21 with respective intensities V and VII on the Rossi-Forel scale. Shaking was felt throughout most of Burma, parts of Siam and Yunnan; an area covering approximately 375,000 square miles.

Pyin Oo Lwin

Witness reported the sound of thunder during the event. Wooden beams, bricks and plaster fell from the Governor's House. Two chimneys fell off a station hospital and a roof of a family hospital collapsed. A Baptist church was seen swaying during the earthquake. Shaking intensity probably reached VIII (Severe) to IX (Violent). Many bungalows were damaged and some were unsafe for people. A major rockslide disrupted service on the Burma Railway between Nawnghkio and Hsum-hsai. Ground rupture was visible and a railway track was bent. Landslides occurred in a gorge near Gokteik station, which was also affected.

Mandalay

Many witness mentioned about difficulties attempting to stand during the event. A cathedral suffered extensive cracking throughout. The Wesleyan School also suffered major damage as a masonry building. Three quarters of brick buildings and nearly all pagodas and monastery were damaged.

Taunggyi

The shock lasted more than a minute there, nearly all chimneys had fallen and military buildings were in critically condition.

Mogok

Shaking created cracks in brick buildings and collapsed several pagodas. Landslides damaged water pipelines and cutoff power to the city for two nights.

Other areas

In places slightly further away from the earthquake like parts of Shan state, Bago region, Kachin state, Sagaing region and Kayah state, noises were heard and shaking intensity ranged between VI (Strong) to VII (Very Strong). Some buildings cracked but the shaking was not enough to cause destruction.

In northern and southern Burma, Yunnan and parts of Siam, the shock had become a gentle rocking sensation and was felt by most of the population. Intensity here was between IV (Light) and V (Moderate). No damage was reported.

In Rangoon and the Chin Hills, the earthquake was barely perceivable. However, the motion was still strong enough that lamps were seen swinging, oil and water in Seikkyi Kanaungto township was seen to sway about. Akyab marked the extreme point of shaking, none was observed past the city.

Tectonic setting

The earthquake is situated along the Kyaukkyan fault, a 500 km long right-lateral structure running through the Shan plateau. It runs nearly parallel to the more dominant Sagaing fault. Many left and right-lateral faults are situated in the Shan plateau as a result of the rotating Sunda block. Earthquakes are common in that region including a magnitude 7.7 in 1988 and the deadly quake of 2011.