When the Ground Turns to Liquid: How Soil Turned Deadly in Myanmar’s Quake

On March 28, 2025, a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar, shaking the region from its tectonic roots and leaving over 2,700 dead. Centered just 10 km beneath Mandalay and spanning a rupture length of up to 400 km along the notorious Sagaing Fault, this event wasn't just another tectonic shock—it was an explosive geotechnical episode. The shallow depth meant seismic waves hit the surface almost instantaneously, unleashing catastrophic shaking. But it wasn’t only the tremors that brought buildings down. A much quieter culprit was at play beneath the surface: liquefaction.

In regions where soil is loosely packed and water-saturated—like the river plains of Mandalay—strong ground shaking can disrupt soil structure. The grains compact, pore water pressure spikes, and suddenly, the ground behaves more like quicksand than earth. Structures sink, tilt, or collapse entirely. Mandalay sits within a central basin rich in thick sediments fed by the Irrawaddy River and intensified by monsoonal rainfall—prime conditions for liquefaction. It’s no surprise the earthquake’s effects were magnified there. Experts warn that cities like Yangon, perched on even deeper sediment beds, may face an even more catastrophic future if a similar quake strikes closer.

Myanmar’s limited seismic network has hampered real-time data collection and analysis. Many stations may have gone offline, but some have survived, offering hope for ongoing virtual collaboration with global agencies like the USGS. With forecasts predicting significant aftershock potential—including a 2% chance of another magnitude 7+ event—preparedness is now a geotechnical imperative. From strengthening seismic networks to redesigning foundations for liquefaction-prone zones, the Myanmar quake is a chilling case study in how understanding the ground beneath us is just as important as monitoring the skies above.

The following animation shows how strong shaking during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake turned solid ground into liquid-like soil, causing buildings to collapse. Similar soil behaviour was noticed during the intense and catastrophic Myanmar Quake.