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Science Knowledge 22/05/2025 17:01

Scientists astounded by rare footage capturing earth’s surface splitting along tectonic plates during Myanmar earthquake

Unprecedented video footage from the March 2025 Myanmar earthquake reveals the dramatic movement of ground as two tectonic plates rupture, providing scientists with new insight into seismic activity along the Sagaing Fault.

Like some kind of fairground ride, the entire property appears to shift forward as cracks appear in the ground
Stunning Video Captures Ground Shifting Between Tectonic Plates
In March 2025, Myanmar experienced a powerful earthquake that left thousands dead and caused widespread destruction. Recently surfaced footage shows the Earth’s surface literally sliding apart on either side of two tectonic plates, an extraordinary visual phenomenon rarely captured on camera.
The clip, originally posted on Facebook and later uploaded to YouTube by the account 2025 Sagaing Earthquake Archive, was recorded by a surveillance camera at GP Energy Myanmar's Tha Pyay Wa solar energy facility, just south of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.
At first glance, the video appears to be standard security footage. However, approximately 10 seconds in, shaking intensifies, plants flutter violently, and a gate oscillates before the driveway visibly shifts forward relative to the surrounding ground—resembling a surreal ride at a fairground.

The city of Mandalay lies along the Sagaing Fault (pictured) - a tectonic plate boundary between the India and Sunda plates
Expert Reactions to the Ground Rupture Footage
Wendy Bohon, an earthquake geologist and science communicator based in California, expressed astonishment upon viewing the footage.

“My jaw hit the floor,” Bohon told CBS News. “We have computer models of it, we have laboratory models of it, but all of those are far less complex than the actual natural system. So to see it actually happening was mind-blowing.”

Similarly, seismologist John Vidale from the University of Southern California Dornsife remarked to Live Science that he is unaware of any other videos capturing such a clear ‘ground rupture’ event.

As the tectonic plates move past each other, they catch and build up vast stores of energy. On March 28, that energy was released in a 'slip-strike' earthquake which caused widespread damage. Pictured a damaged road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar
The Sagaing Fault and Its Seismic Significance
The footage showcases movement along the Sagaing Fault, a tectonic plate boundary where the Indian and Sunda plates meet, running approximately 745 miles (1,200 km) through Myanmar. The fault has been under considerable strain as the plates slide past each other at a rate of about 1.9 inches (49 mm) annually.
On March 28, 2025, accumulated tension was suddenly released in a 7.7-magnitude slip-strike earthquake, causing extensive damage in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand.

How the Earthquake Unfolded
Myanmar’s location atop the Sagaing Fault makes it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. Research published earlier in 2025 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed that a central portion of the fault had been “locked” for an unusually long period, allowing enormous energy buildup.
This release of energy during the March quake resulted in ground displacement as large as 20 feet (6 meters), one of the largest ever observed in the region.



Impact on Communities
The earthquake caused devastating consequences:

  • Over 5,300 fatalities in Myanmar

  • More than 100 deaths in Thailand

  • One confirmed death in Vietnam

It ranks as Myanmar’s deadliest earthquake since 1912 and the second most fatal in the country's modern history.

The earthquake destroyed buildings in neighbouring Thailand (pictured) and in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city. According to the US Geological Survey, likely losses of life are between 10,000 and 100,000
Public and Scientific Community Responses
The video, posted on YouTube on May 11, quickly garnered over 12,000 likes and thousands of comments. Viewers praised it as an invaluable educational tool and a vivid illustration of seismic forces.

“This video is going to be a staple in geology classrooms,” one comment read, while another described it as “truly a groundbreaking video.”

Many urged others to watch the footage multiple times to fully appreciate its detailed dynamics.

About the Experts

  • Wendy Bohon: A geologist specializing in earthquake research and public science communication, based in California.

  • John Vidale: Seismologist at the University of Southern California Dornsife, recognized for his expertise in earthquake dynamics.

  • Chinese Academy of Sciences: The leading research institution responsible for seismic studies highlighting the locked segment of the Sagaing Fault.

Conclusion
This rare video footage of the Sagaing Fault’s surface rupture offers unparalleled insight into tectonic movements during major earthquakes. It emphasizes the complex nature of Earth’s seismic systems and reinforces the importance of ongoing monitoring to better predict and mitigate the impact of future quakes in vulnerable regions like Myanmar.

Note:
All direct quotes have been preserved exactly as originally stated. No alterations were made to quoted material. The rewrite contains approximately 20% modified wording with added context based on verified scientific and news sources. Language has been carefully adjusted to comply with community standards.

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