6.8-magnitude quake rocks Myanmar
Posted: Fri 25 Mar, 2011 9:27 AM
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar yesterday near its borders China, Thailand and Laos.
The US Geological Survey has reported that the earthquake hit eastern Myanmar, 89-kilometres north of Chiang Rai, Thailand. According to a report on CNN.com, the Geological Survey initially said the quake has a depth of 142-miles or 230-kilometres but it later revised its estimate to say the quake was 6-miles or 10-kilometres deep, putting it fairly close to the surface. The epicentre of the earthquake was 365-miles or 589-kilometres northeast of Yangon. A 4.8-magnitude aftershock struck half an hour later. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre assured that a tsunami is not to be expected.
There has been limited damage reported but the earthquake incited fear among residents which led most of them to flee their homes and stay away from buildings.
