Seismic study sheds light on factors leading to supershear rupture in Myanmar in 2025

Measurements of slip and width of the coseismic damage zone associated with the earthquake. Credit: Science (2025). doi: 10.1126/science.adz2101

Recently, the journal Science published an article detailing new research on the Myanmar earthquake that occurred on March 28, 2025. In one such study, Shengji Wei and his colleagues analyzed data about the event and provide insight into the multiple factors that lead to these rare and devastating supershear ruptures. Their research was published this week.

Widespread destruction in Myanmar

The Myanmar earthquake was one of the longest and fastest ruptures ever recorded on Earth, causing widespread devastation along the Sagaing Fault. The magnitude of the moment was reported to be 7.7 to 7.8, resulting in at least 5,352 deaths and extensive structural damage. Its effects reached as far as Bangkok, Thailand, 1,000 kilometers away.

The earthquake produced a surface rupture more than 450 km long, extending north-south through major cities, such as Mandalay and Naypyidaw. The surface rupture superseded the shear velocities, meaning that the rupture traveled faster than the local shear wave speed. This is similar to what happens when a supersonic aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound.

Better understanding for better future results

While studies on this type of massive earthquake cannot prevent them from occurring, they can help at-risk communities understand the level of risk and prepare accordingly. The results of these studies can inform risk analysis of other major strike-slip faults with similar characteristics, such as the San Andreas Fault or the North Anatolia Fault.

The Myanmar event has provided a unique opportunity for researchers to study how fault zones affect rupture dynamics in order to gain a deeper understanding of how these events occur. Wei and his team took this opportunity to analyze rupture dynamics through a multifaceted lens, consisting of satellite-based and seismic techniques, including 3D surface deformation mapping, strong motion records, and receiver function analysis. They also used remote sensing, seismic data, and local seismic arrays to resolve rupture dynamics and fault structure.

Unraveling the dynamics of supershear

Faults that experience supershear events, such as the San Andreas, North Anatolia, and Sagaing faults, have some common features. For example, they are all simple, straight faults, which tend to allow energy to be concentrated rather than dispersed. This leads to weakening of the crust along the fault and further damage during earthquakes.

The researchers say in the study that the rupture began at partial shear speeds and then quickly turned to supershear. Their results show speeds of up to 5.3 km/s.

“The rupture started as binary subshear and transitioned to supershear (~5.3 km/s) about 100 km south of the epicenter, maintaining this velocity for over 200 km. The supershear portion is aligned with a low-velocity fault zone about 2 km thick and shows a reduction in shear wave velocity of ~45%. We propose that the thick fault zone, aided by fault geometry and basin structure, enabled prolonged propagating supershear,” explain the study authors.

They note that the simple fault geometry and wide fault zone likely provide the most important conditions behind the long-distance supershear and supershear-to-supershear transition, due to fault stress perturbations leading to the development of a supershear rupture front.

“As rupture propagated on the western rift, smooth fault geometry provided a 'highway' to help maintain supershear rupture, similar to what might happen for other supershear events. The relatively thick sedimentary basin (about 2 to 3 km) along the southern rift segment is another favorable condition for maintaining supershear rupture, as reflected waves from the basin floor can increase shear stress on the fault and promote rupture propagation.” The study authors say.

Insights into the features that lead to higher potential for superrupture velocities can help improve seismic hazard models for regions with known thick fault zones and simple fault geometries, especially for cities near major strike-slip faults. However, there is still work to be done. More comprehensive models that include detailed fault zone structures may be useful for more detailed seismic hazard assessment.

Written for you by our author Crystal Casal, edited by Gabe Clark, fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan – this article is the result of careful human work. We depend on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this report is important to you, please consider making a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank you.

More information: Shengji Wei et al, Supershear rupture induced through a thick fault zone in the 2025Mw7.8 Mandalay earthquake, Science (2025). doi: 10.1126/science.adz2101

© 2025 Web of Science

Citation: Seismic study sheds light on factors leading to 2025 Myanmar supershear rupture (2025, November 1) Retrieved November 1, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-10-seismic-factors-myanmar-supershear-rupture.html

This document is subject to copyright. Notwithstanding any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos