Significant M5.9 Earthquake hit near Yenangyaung in Myanmar on Tuesday Evening.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 3rd, 2026.

In the evening of Tuesday February 3rd, 2026, a significant M5.9 earthquake hit under land 59 miles from Yenangyaung in Myanmar. Around 15 million people have been exposed to shaking. Bangladesh and India are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Myanmar, 59 miles (95 km) west of Yenangyaung in Magway. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 39 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Feb 3, 2026 10:04PM (Yangon Time) - Feb 3, 2026 15:34 Universal Time.
Location:	59 mi west of Yenangyaung, Magway, Myanmar. Coordinates 20°27'57"N 93°57'26"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.9 Detected by 20 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.069 .
Depth:	39 mi (63 km) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong 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 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 15 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 15 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 11,390 people were exposed to level V. At this level, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 11 million people were exposed to shaking in Myanmar , with level V (moderate shaking, very light damage) as the highest recorded. In Bangladesh , around 3.9 million people. In India, shaking was experienced too.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Myanmar , Bangladesh and India are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 59 miles (95 km) west of the epicenter of this earthquake, Yenangyaung (Magway, Myanmar) is the nearest significant population center. Yenangyaung experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Chattogram is located 303 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Mandalay is located 172 mi to the north-east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Nay Pyi Taw is located 150 mi to the east-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. 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 23 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 23 people have reported shaking in 15 places in 3 countries (Bangladesh, Myanmar, India).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Chakdaha, Bangla, India: 4 people.
• Dacca, Dhāka, Bangladesh: 3 people.
• Calcutta, Bangla, India: 2 people.
• Dulia Gaon, Assam, India: 2 people.
• Chattagam, Chāţţagām, Bangladesh: 2 people.
• Co'xs Bazar, Koks Bāzār, Bangladesh: 1 person.
• Sagaing, Sagaing, Myanmar: 1 person.
• Rajpur, Bangla, India: 1 person.
• Khardaha, Bangla, India: 1 person.
• Basirhat, Bangla, India: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 1 smaller aftershock occurred. At a distance of 7 mi (12 km) north-east of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 17 mins later. It measured a magnitude of 5.2

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

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 March 28th, 2025, when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit 155 mi (250 km) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on March 28th, 2025.

In total, 5 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.9 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 2 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 03/02/26 22:38 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000s65b
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260203_0000226
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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