Myanmar Earthquake Released Energy Equal to 334 Nuclear Bombs, Experts Say

The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28 unleashed energy equivalent to hundreds of nuclear bombs, according to geologists and disaster response experts.

The quake, which hit just 20 kilometers from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, ripped through roads, toppled centuries-old temples, collapsed bridges, and leveled homes within seconds. Tremors were felt as far away as Thailand, India, China, and Vietnam.

“This earthquake released the energy of 334 nuclear bombs,” said Jess Phoenix, a geologist at California State University, Los Angeles. China’s Earthquake Networks Center registered the quake at 7.9 magnitude, slightly higher than initial U.S. estimates.

Scientific American noted the seismic energy was equivalent to “hundreds of nuclear explosions,” while Ecuador-based earthquake expert Amilcar Carrera-Cevallos said the shockwaves were powerful enough to rattle neighboring countries.

According to Cornell University seismologist Judith Hubbard, the quake was shallow—its epicenter just 10 kilometers beneath the surface—making it especially destructive. She added that many buildings in Myanmar are not designed to withstand strong tremors, leading to widespread devastation.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) attributed the earthquake to the movement along the Sagaing Fault, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates grind past each other. The fault stretches from central to northern Myanmar and has produced several large quakes over the past century.

At least six quakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher have occurred within 240 kilometers of the epicenter since 1900. The most recent major event was a magnitude-7.0 quake in 1990, which brought down 32 buildings. A 5.8-magnitude tremor in 2023 also hit the Sagaing Fault but caused only minor damage.

On the Mercalli Intensity Scale, which measures perceived shaking, communities near the epicenter likely experienced a Level 9—“violent”—where buildings can be shifted off foundations or completely collapse. Tremors traveled along the fault line, radiating damage across a wide area. In Bangkok, nearly 1,000 kilometers away, a 34-story building under construction collapsed instantly.

Phoenix warned that strong aftershocks could continue for months as the Indian plate keeps moving beneath Myanmar. “This is a disaster of immense scale,” she said. “Given the country's current state—politically and economically—it risks becoming a catastrophe beyond recovery,” referring to Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict, which is complicating relief efforts.

Myanmar’s government reported 1,644 confirmed deaths and over 3,400 injuries by March 29. The USGS estimated the final death toll could surpass 10,000. In neighboring Thailand, authorities reported at least 10 fatalities and over 100 people missing.

(Sources: CNN, The Guardian, Scientific American)

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