1839 Ava earthquake

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1839 Ava earthquake
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1839 Ava earthquake (Southeast Asia)
UTC  time1839-03-23 24:30
Local date23 March 1839
Local time04:00
Magnitude7.9–8.3 Mw
Epicenter 21°54′N96°00′E / 21.9°N 96.0°E / 21.9; 96.0
Fault Sagaing Fault
Areas affected Konbaung dynasty (present–day Myanmar)
Max. intensity MMI XI (Extreme)
ForeshocksYes
AftershocksYes
Casualties300–400 dead

The 1839 Ava earthquake, also known as the Amarapura earthquake or Inwa earthquake, was a disastrous seismic event that struck present-day central Myanmar on March 23. [1] This earthquake with an estimated moment magnitude as high as 8.3, was one of the largest in the country, since 1762. It was assigned a maximum of XI (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale, and was felt in Rangoon and Bhamo. [2] Damage was enormous in Ava, resulting in the death of hundreds.

Contents

Tectonic setting

Myanmar is wedged between four tectonic plates; the Indian, Eurasian, Sunda, and Burma plates, that interact due to active geological processes. Along the west coast of the Coco Islands, off the Rahkine coast, and into Bangladesh, is a highly oblique convergent boundary known as the Sunda megathrust. This large fault marks the boundary between the Indian and Burma plates. The megathrust emerges from the seafloor in Bangladesh, where it runs parallel and east of the Chin Hills. This boundary continues to north of Burma where it ends at the eastern Himalayas. [3]

The Sagaing Fault is a mostly continental transform fault that runs through Burma and connects the Andaman spreading center to the collision zone in the north. It accommodates motion between the Burma and Sunda Plates as they slide past each other at a rate of 18 to 49 mm/yr. The fault runs the entire length of the country for over 1,200 km and continues its trace into the Andaman Sea. The Sagaing Fault is Burma's largest and most active source of seismic threat, running through or close to major cities like Yangon, Nay Pyi Daw and Mandalay. Several large and damaging earthquakes have occurred on this fault in historical times. [3] In 1946 the 180 km (110 mi) long Sagaing segment produced two major earthquakes but there are no records of its impact. Ten years later, in 1956, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck close to the city of Mandalay, re-rupturing the 1839 rupture zone for about 60 km (37 mi). [4] Meanwhile, the 260 km (160 mi) long Meiktila segment has not experienced any major earthquake since 1839 and is considered a seismic gap. [5]

Earthquake

The Meiktila and Sagaing segment of the fault ruptured during this earthquake for a length of 400 km (250 mi), corresponding to a magnitude 8.1–8.3 earthquake, although little research has been conducted to provide further constrains. [5] On the basis for its overall lack of seismic activity, the Meiktila segment is believed to have ruptured during the earthquake. This segment runs from Nay Pyi Taw to Mandalay, a length of about 260 km (160 mi). [6] [7] Remote sensing and field observation revealed a maximum displacement of 5–7 m (16–23 ft) along the trace of the 1839 rupture just outside Mandalay. This would place the magnitude at 7.4–8.0+ and generate a ~300 km (190 mi) rupture. [8] [9]

Researchers at National Taiwan University combined lidar and macroseismic data from historic accounts to estimate its magnitude at ~Mw  7.9 and rupture length to be 285–325 km (177–202 mi). The 1839 earthquake ruptured two segments; the Meiktila segment in the south and Sagaing segment in the north. They estimated 5.5 m (18 ft) of displacement on the Sagaing segment while slip on the Meiktila segment was around 3.8 m (12 ft). The felt area based on the Modified Mercalli intensity was larger than the 1912 Maymyo earthquake (Mw  7.7) and similar in area to the 2002 Denali earthquake (Mw  7.9). The maximum assigned Modified Mercalli intensity was XI (Extreme). [10]

Damage and effects

The mainshock was preceded by a large foreshock in 1838, which also damaged the capital. [11] Great damage was reported in Inwa, so severe that the formal capital was moved to nearby Amarapura. In Mingun, a stupa sustained serious damage as a result of shaking. British officials in Myanmar recorded catastrophic damage and liquefaction in Mandalay and the surrounding area. [12] [13] Many pagodas collapsed during the event. Chasms and fissures more than 10 ft (3.0 m) wide were seen in Amarapura and nearly every brick building was reduced to rubble. Some villages were swallowed up as a result of liquefaction. [13] By a contemporary British estimate, about 300–400 people died. [1] The shock also reversed the flow of the Irrawaddy River, where the currents became violent and overflowed its banks. [12] It was felt for thousands of miles away from the epicenter, as far as Dhaka, Kolkata, and Bangkok. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

Megathrust earthquakes occur at convergent plate boundaries, where one tectonic plate is forced underneath another. The earthquakes are caused by slip along the thrust fault that forms the contact between the two plates. These interplate earthquakes are the planet's most powerful, with moment magnitudes (Mw) that can exceed 9.0. Since 1900, all earthquakes of magnitude 9.0 or greater have been megathrust earthquakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunda megathrust</span> Geological feature

The Sunda megathrust is a fault that extends approximately 5,500 km (3300 mi) from Myanmar (Burma) in the north, running along the southwestern side of Sumatra, to the south of Java and Bali before terminating near Australia. It is a megathrust, located at a convergent plate boundary where it forms the interface between the overriding Eurasian plate and the subducting Indo-Australian plate. It is one of the most seismogenic structures on Earth, being responsible for many great and giant earthquakes, including the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that killed over 227,000 people. The Sunda megathrust can be divided into the Andaman Megathrust, Sumatra(n) Megathrust and Java(n) Megathrust. The Bali-Sumbawa segment is much less active and therefore does not have the "megathrust" term associated with it.

The 1797 Sumatra earthquake occurred at 22:00 local time on February 10. It was the first in a series of great earthquakes that ruptured part of the Sumatran segment of the Sunda megathrust. It caused a damaging tsunami that was particularly severe near Padang, where a 150–200 t (330,000–440,000 lb) English ship was driven 1 km (0.62 mi) inland up the Arau River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1861 Sumatra earthquake</span> Natural disaster in Indonesia

The 1861 Sumatra earthquake occurred on 16 February and was the last in a sequences of earthquakes that ruptured adjacent parts of the Sumatran segment of the Sunda megathrust. It caused a devastating tsunami which led to several thousand fatalities. The earthquake was felt as far away as the Malay peninsula and the eastern part of Java. The rupture area for the 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake is similar to that estimated for the 1861 event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sagaing Fault</span> Seismic fault in Myanmar

The Sagaing Fault is a major fault in Myanmar, a mainly continental right-lateral transform fault between the Indian Plate and Sunda Plate. It links the divergent boundary in the Andaman Sea with the zone of active continental collision along the Himalayan front. It passes through the populated cities of Mandalay, Yamethin, Pyinmana, the capital Naypyidaw, Toungoo and Pegu before dropping off into the Gulf of Martaban, running for a total length of over 1200 kilometers.

The 1930 Pyu earthquake occurred on December 4 at 01:21 local time. The epicenter was located north to Bago, Burma, then part of British India. The magnitude of the earthquake was estimated at Mw 7.3, or Ms 7.3.

The 1907 Sumatra earthquake occurred on January 4 at 05:19:12 UTC. The re-estimated moment magnitude (Mw) is 8.2 to 8.4, with an epicentre close to Simeulue, off Sumatra. An earlier study re-estimated a surface-wave magnitude (Ms) of 7.5 to 8.0. It triggered a widespread and damaging Indian Ocean wide tsunami that caused at least 2,188 deaths on Sumatra. The low observed intensity compared to the size of the tsunami has led to its interpretation as a tsunami earthquake. Higher levels of shaking observed on Nias are attributed to a large aftershock, less than an hour later. The tsunami gave rise to the S'mong legend, which is credited with saving many lives during the 2004 earthquake.

The 1946 Sagaing earthquakes struck central Burma at 15:17 local time on 12 September. The first earthquake measured a magnitude of 7.3 Mw  and was followed by a 7.7 Mw  earthquake. Both events remain some of the largest in the country since the 1762 Arakan earthquake.

The 1912 Maymyo earthquake or Burma earthquake struck Burma on the morning of May 23, with an epicentre near Taunggyi and Pyin Oo Lwin in Shan State. The earthquake was initially calculated at 8.0 on the surface wave magnitude scale (Ms ) by Beno Gutenberg and Charles Francis Richter, and described by them as being one of the most remarkable seismic events in the early 1900s. Recent re-evaluation of the earthquake, however, have revised the magnitude to 7.6–7.9. It was preceded by two foreshocks on May 18 and 21 with respective intensities V and VII on the Rossi–Forel scale, while the mainshock was assigned IX. Shaking was felt throughout most of Burma, parts of Siam and Yunnan; an area covering approximately 375,000 square miles. It was one of the largest earthquakes in the country.

The 1930 Bago (Pegu) earthquake, also known as the Swa earthquake struck Myanmar on 5 May. The moment magnitude (Mw ) 7.4 earthquake had a focal depth of 35 km (22 mi) and maximum Rossi–Forel intensity of IX. The earthquake was the result of rupture along a 131 km (81 mi) segment of the Sagaing Fault—a major strike-slip fault that runs through the country. Extensive damage was reported in the southern part of the country, particularly in Bago and Yangon, where buildings collapsed and fires erupted. At least 550, and possibly up to 7,000 people were killed. A moderate tsunami was generated along the Burmese coast which caused minor damage to ships and a port. It was felt for over 570,000 km2 (220,000 sq mi) and as far as Shan State and Thailand. The mainshock was followed by many aftershocks; several were damaging; additional earthquakes occurred in July and December, killing dozens. The December earthquake was similarly sized which also occurred along the Sagaing Fault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haiyuan Fault</span> Intracontinental strike-slip fault in Tibet

The Haiyuan Fault is a major active intracontinental strike-slip (sinistral) fault in Central Asia.

The 1988 Myanmar–India earthquake, also known as the Indo–Burma earthquake struck the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the border with India on 6 August at 7:06 am MMT with a moment magnitude (Mw ) of 7.3 or Richter magnitude (ML ) of 7.5. At least five people were killed, more than 30 were injured, and another 30 were missing as a result. Serious damage was reported in India and Bangladesh, while some minor damage occurred in Myanmar. The earthquake was reportedly felt in the Soviet Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Simeulue earthquake</span> Earthquake in Indonesia

On February 20, 2008, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.4 struck off the coast of Sumatra at a hypocentre depth of 26 km. The earthquake had an epicenter located on the island of Simeulue, northwest from Sinabang, a small town on the island. Three people were killed and an additional 25 seriously injured as a result of the earthquake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Chignik earthquake</span> 7th largest earthquake in the US

An earthquake occurred off the coast of the Alaska Peninsula on July 28, 2021, at 10:15 p.m. local time. The large megathrust earthquake had a moment magnitude of 8.2 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). A tsunami warning was issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) but later cancelled. The mainshock was followed by a number of aftershocks, including three that were of magnitude 5.9, 6.1 and 6.9 respectively.

The 1815 Bali earthquake occurred on November 22 between 22:00 and 23:00 local time (WITA), affecting the Bali Kingdom. The estimated moment magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the north coast of Bali at a shallow depth. It was assigned a maximum intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale, causing severe damage in Buleleng and Tabanan. The earthquake caused a landslide and tsunami that killed 11,453 people.

The 1843 Nias earthquake off the northern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia caused severe damage when it triggered a tsunami along the coastline. The earthquake with a moment magnitude (Mw ) of 7.8 lasted nine minutes, collapsing many homes in Sumatra and Nias. It was assigned a maximum modified Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme).

The 1933 Sumatra earthquake or Liwa earthquake occurred in West Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia on June 25. The earthquake had an estimated surface-wave magnitude (Ms ) of 7.7 occurring at a shallow depth of 20 km. It had an epicenter onshore, devastating the city of Liwa. At least 788 people were reported killed, although the death toll may have been in the thousands. Aftershocks followed, including one which was strong enough to cause additional fatalities. The mainshock also triggered a nearby volcanic eruption two weeks later, killing some people.

The 1858 Prome earthquake occurred on August 24 at 15:38 local time in British Burma. The earthquake occurred with a magnitude of 7.6–8.3 on the moment magnitude scale. It had an epicenter in near the city of Pyay (Prome), Bago. The shock was felt with a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme) for about one minute. Severe damage was reported in Bago, and off the coast of Rakhine, an island sunk.

An earthquake affected the island of Java, Indonesia on 22 January 1780. The source and magnitude of the earthquake remains debated among seismologists. Proposed origins of the earthquake include shallow inland back-arc thrusting along a fault located within the upper crust on the island or rupture of the subduction zone off the southern coast of Java. The magnitude of the earthquake is estimated to be at least 8.5, while other sources usually refer to it with a range of Mw  8.0 to 8.5 for the megathrust earthquake. For the shallow crustal earthquake source, the magnitude range is Mw  7.0 to 8.0.

The 1659 Calabria earthquake devastated present-day southern Italy on 5 November. It had an estimated energy magnitude of 6.6. The towns of Filadelfia, Chiaravalle Centrale, Filogaso, Panaia, Polia Antica, San Demetrio Corone and Stefanaconi were assigned X (Extreme) on the Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg scale. The reports of destruction corresponded with a 10 km (6.2 mi) section of the Serre Fault that did not rupture during the next major earthquakes in 1783. This meant the central portion of the Serre Fault is a probably candidate for the earthquake source. The rupture on this fault segment reduced the Coulomb stress, which was sufficient for it to remain unruptured in 1783. The 1659 earthquake affect the region between those affected by earthquakes on 7 February and 28 March 1783. It represents the first major earthquake in a seismic sequence on faults in southern Calabria, with the last major earthquake in 1908.

References

  1. 1 2 Oldham, Thomas. "A Catalogue of Indian Earthquakes from the earliest time to the end of AD 1869". Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India. XIX.
  2. 1 2 National Geophysical Data Center (1972). "Significant Earthquake Information". National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K.
  3. 1 2 Wang, Yu (2013). Earthquake Geology of Myanmar (Ph.D.). California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/XWW2-9P26.
  4. ↑ Soe Thura Tun; Ian M. Watkinson (15 November 2017). "The Sagaing Fault, Myanmar". Geological Society, London, Memoirs. 48: 413–441. doi:10.1144/M48.19. S2CID   134291037 . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 Yu, Wang (2014). "Active Tectonics and Earthquake Potential of the Myanmar region". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 119 (4): 3767. Bibcode:2014JGRB..119.3767W. doi: 10.1002/2013JB010762 . hdl: 10220/19774 .
  6. ↑ Tapponnier, Paul; Kerry, Kerry (21 January 2010). "The Catastrophe in Haiti: A Repeat Lesson for Us all" (PDF). RSIS Commentaries. Nanyang Technological University. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  7. ↑ Thant, Htoo (7 August 2019). "Govt unveils quake preparedness plan". Myanmar Times. Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Wang, Y.; Tapponnier, P.; Aung, T.; Tun, S. T.; Khaing, S. N.; Aung, L. T.; Sieh, K. (16 December 2014). "Morphotectonics of the Central Sagaing fault West of Mandalay: Trace of the 1839 Ava Earthquake Rupture". AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. 2014. Bibcode:2014AGUFM.T24B..04W . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  9. ↑ Xinhua (25 November 2009). "Myanmar setting up global positioning system for earthquake monitoring". People's Daily Online. People's Daily Online. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Wu, Sheng-Han (2022). Yóu dìbiǎo pòliè yǔ zhèndù jìlù chóngjiàn 1839 miǎndiàn ā wǎ dìzhèn zhī guīmó由地表破裂與震度紀錄重建1839緬甸阿瓦地震之規模[Re-estimating the magnitude of 1839 Ava earthquake through geomorphic mapping and macroseismic records, central Myanmar] (Masters thesis). Department of Geosciences, College of Sciences, National Taiwan University. doi:10.6342/ntu202203906.
  11. ↑ "Significant Earthquake Information MYANMAR (BURMA): AVA (INNWA)". NGDC NCEI. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Some Documents of Tharrawaddy's Reign: 1837–1846, Part I". SOAS Bulletin of Burma Research. 1. 2003.
  13. 1 2 "Burmah". The Asiatic Journal. XXX. 1839.
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