Why are earthquakes common in Malaysia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries?

Seismic Activity in Southeast Asia: Malaysia and Thailand on Alert

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-646-NOT
Published in 03-28-2025

Why Are Earthquakes So Frequent in Malaysia, Thailand, and Other Southeast Asian Countries?

Earthquakes are common natural events in the Southeast Asian region due to tectonic activity. Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and neighboring countries frequently experience seismic movements. Below, we explain the main reasons.

Tectonic Plates in the Region: Seismic activity in this area is influenced by the interaction between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The Indo-Australian Plate moves northeast, pushing and colliding with the Eurasian Plate, which generates earthquakes.

Malaysia and Thailand and their relation to the pacific ring of fire

Sumatra Subduction Zone: To the west of Malaysia and Thailand lies the Sunda Trench, a major subduction zone where the Indo-Australian Plate sinks beneath the Eurasian Plate. This subduction has caused some of the most devastating earthquakes in history, such as the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, which triggered a deadly tsunami.

Seismic Activity in Indonesia: Indonesia, south of Malaysia and Thailand, is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically and volcanically active regions in the world. Strong earthquakes in Indonesia can produce seismic waves felt in nearby countries.

Local Faults in Thailand: Although Thailand is not directly located on a tectonic plate boundary, several active faults exist in the northern part of the country. These faults can generate lower-magnitude earthquakes that still affect the population.

The high frequency of earthquakes in Malaysia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries is due to tectonic activity in the region, the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, and proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire. Understanding these phenomena is key to disaster prevention and mitigation in the area.

????? | Sagaing, ?? #Myanmar, convertida en zona de desastre tras el fuerte #terremoto de este viernes.#Tailandia #Laos #China #Birmania #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/C2Covpxihb
— El Humano Inerte (@elhumanoinerte) March 28, 2025