Current Science

J. Malsawma ¹, Paul Lalnuntluanga ¹, Saitluanga Sailo ², V. Vanthangliana ², R. P. Tiwari ³, V. K. Gahalaut ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Mizoram University, Tanhril, Aizawl 796 004, IN
2 Pachhunga University College, Mizoram University, Aizawl 796 001, IN
3 Department of Geology, Mizoram University, Tanhril, Aizawl 796 004, India; Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151 401, IN
4 CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, IN

Abstract

Earthquakes in the Indo-Burmese arc occur due to interaction of India and Sunda plates along the IndoBurmese Wedge and Sagaing Fault. Majority of the moderate to major magnitude earthquakes in the Indo-Burmese Wedge occur within the Indian slab and very few of them occur on the plate interface. Earthquakes within the wedge are rare and the 22 June 2020 earthquake of magnitude 5.5 (Mw) on the India–Myanmar border in Mizoram, India, at shallow depth is probably one such earthquake. The earthquake caused moderate damage (maximum intensity VIII on MSK scale) in remote border villages (Vaphai and Chawngtui) with sparse population without any fatality. The earthquake did not seem to be related with the Mat Fault, which was transverse to the north–south trending wedge, as various estimates of mainshock and the region of maximum damage was ~20 km northeast of the surface trace of the Mat Fault. It appeared to be associated with almost north– south oriented Churachandpur Mao Fault (CMF) with dextral slip which mapped extensively and monitored geodetically in the neighbouring regions of Manipur and Nagaland to the north. Occurrence of this shallow depth earthquake may imply that some segment of the CMF might be seismically active, unlike in the north, where it appears to be predominantly aseismic. This implies that the seismic hazard along the CMF may vary along its length.

Keywords

Churachandpur Mao Fault, earthquakes, Indo-Burmese arc, tectonics.

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