Update: Earthquake of 5.4 magnitude detected close to Shwebo, Burma (Myanmar) on July 18

Published Jul 18, 2025

PYIN OO LWIN, Mandalay Region—A 5.4 magnitude quake was reported close to Shwebo Friday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The tremor, which struck the area at 09:30 UTC (16:00 local time), was centered roughly 35 km east-northeast of Shwebo. It occurred at a depth of 10 km.

Did you feel it?

If you felt the earthquake, you can share your experience using the USGS Felt Report form. So far, the agency has collected 4 online responses from individuals indicating that they felt the quake. According to the USGS DYFI report, weak shaking was recorded and several residents in Chiang Mai and the surrounding area reported experiencing the tremor.

DYFI Image

Impact and estimated losses

Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional level response. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Burma. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

Structure information summary
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block with wood and rubble/field stone masonry construction.

Historical information
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake 395 km east of this event struck Menglang-Gengma, China on November 6, 1988 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 156,000 at intensity VIII and 38,000 at intensity IX or greater, resulting in a reported 748 fatalities.

Quakes last week

Over the last week, there have been two quakes, greater than magnitude 2.5, centered nearby. The larger one was a 4.7 earthquake that was registered near Mandalay three days ago. The other, of magnitude 4.3, jolted close to Shwebo on July 14.

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey