Shallow M5.7 Earthquake hit near Kēng Tung in Myanmar on Friday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 17th, 2023. Last updated December 8th, 2023.

Under land 47 miles from Kēng Tung in Myanmar, a shallow and significant MAG-5.7 earthquake occurred in the morning of Friday November 17th, 2023. Around 6.9 million people have been exposed to shaking. Other nearby countries are Thailand, China and Laos.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Myanmar, 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Kēng Tung in Shan. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 6 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 17, 2023 08:07AM (Yangon Time) - Nov 17, 2023 01:37 Universal Time.
Location:	47 mi SW of Kēng Tung, Shan, Myanmar. Coordinates 21°13'34"N 99°19'59"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.7 Detected by 25 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.062 .
Depth:	6 mi (10 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VIII Severe On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 59% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 94% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 6.9 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 6.9 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

An estimated 3,200 people were exposed to level VII. At this level, very strong shaking and likely moderate damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 5.2 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 4 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 3 million people were exposed to shaking in Myanmar , with level VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage) as the highest recorded. In China , around 1.9 million people. Roughly 1.6 million people were exposed to shaking in Thailand . In Laos, shaking was experienced too.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Myanmar , Thailand , China and Laos are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Kēng Tung in Shan, Myanmar is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Kēng Tung. The intensity of shaking and damage in Kēng Tung is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Kēng Tung is located 47 mi to the north-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Jinghong is located 168 km to the east-northeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Simao is located 243 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VIII. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 69 people in 4 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 69 people have reported shaking in 21 places in 4 countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand: 25 people.
• Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, Thailand: 12 people.
• Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand: 6 people.
• Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, Thailand: 4 people.
• Maerim, Chiang Mai, Thailand: 3 people.
• Maetaeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand: 2 people.
• Nam Tha, Luang Nam Tha, Laos: 2 people.
• Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son, Thailand: 2 people.
• Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan, Thailand: 1 person.
• Vientiane, Viangchan Prefecture, Laos: 1 person.

8 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 8 smaller aftershocks. At a distance of 6 mi (9 km) south-southeast of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 4 hrs later. It measured a magnitude of 4.5

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since July 21st, 2022, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 35 mi (57 km) further east. An even stronger magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck on November 20th, 2019.

In total, 4 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.7 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 08/12/23 02:48 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000lp06
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20231117_0000013
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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