2014 Mae Lao earthquake
{{Short description|Earthquake in Thailand}}
{{Infobox earthquake
| title = 2014 Mae Lao earthquake
| timestamp = 2014-05-05 11:08:43
| anss-url = usb000qack
| isc-event = 604514202
| image = Wat Rong Khun 01.jpg
| image alt =
| caption = The damaged Wat Rong Khun, a major attraction in Mueang, Chiang Rai; The broken spire could be observed
| map =
| map alt =
| image name =
| pushpin_map = Thailand
| mapsize =
| local-date = {{Start date|2014|05|05}}
| local-time = 18:08:43 ICT (UTC+7)
| duration =
| depth = {{convert|7.4|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| location = {{coord|19.66|99.67|region:TH_type:event|display=inline,title}}
| type =
| countries affected = Thailand
| damage = US$61.8 million
| intensity = {{MMI|VIII}}
| PGA =
| tsunami =
| landslide =
| foreshocks =
| casualties = 1 dead, 23 injured
}}
The 2014 Mae Lao earthquake occurred at {{tooltip|18:08:43 Indochina Time|11:08:43 UTC}} on May 5. The epicenter was located at a point {{convert|9|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} south of Mae Lao District, {{convert|27|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} southwest of Chiang Rai, Thailand.{{cite web|title=M 6.1 – 13 km NNW of Phan, Thailand|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000qack|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2014}} One person was killed as a result.
Effects
File:May-2014 Mae Lao-earthquake Shakemap.jpg
The earthquake was a recorded as having a maximum intensity of strong (MMI VI), shaking both northern Thailand and Myanmar in the evening. People in many northern provinces (including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Lampang) sensed the quake.{{cite web|title=6.0 quake in northern Thailand|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/408225/6-0-quake-in-northern-thailand|work=Bangkok Post|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2014}} Windows, walls and roads as well as temples all suffered damage from the quake. Originally no casualties were reported,{{cite web|first=Thanyarat|last=Doksone|title=Earthquake Cracks Walls, Roads in North Thailand|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/strong-quake-shakes-thailand-myanmar-23586909|publisher=ABC News|location=United States|publication-place=United States|agency=Associated Press|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2014}} but later there were news reports of one death and several injuries.{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/408461/tremor-kills-woman-hurts-23|title=Tremor kills woman, hurts 23|work=Bangkok Post|date=7 May 2014|access-date=10 May 2014}} It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Thailand according to National Disaster Warning Center Director Somsak Khaosuwan.{{cite news|title=Strongest ever quake strikes Chiang Rai|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/strongest-ever-quake-strikes-chiang-rai/|access-date=10 May 2014|publisher=Thai Public Broadcasting Service|date=5 May 2014|archive-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511023359/http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/strongest-ever-quake-strikes-chiang-rai/|url-status=dead}}
Chiang Rai International Airport, located near the epicenter, immediately evacuated people from its terminal. Airport general manager Damrong Klongakara said the runway and flights had not been affected by the quake. Even so, the airport was closed for a while.
In Phan district of Chiang Rai, a road was split by serious cracks. A Buddha statue's head at the Udomwaree Temple fell off due to the quake and a residential building of the temple suffered exterior cracks and ceiling damage.
A Chiang Rai police officer reported that goods in shops were scattered, cracks appeared in buildings, and some provincial roads proved to have "large cracks".{{cite web|first=John|last=Bacon|title=Magnitude-6.0 quake rattles Thailand|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/05/05/earthquake-thailand/8714011/|work=USA Today|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2014}}
In Bangkok, tall buildings swayed as the earthquake occurred. Tremors were felt as far away as in Yangon, Myanmar.
An economist estimated the damage of this earthquake to be 2 billion baht (US$61.8 million).{{cite news|url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2014/05/07/1399457959/|title=Northern Earthquake Costs Thailand '2 Billion Baht'|work=Khaosod English|date=7 May 2014|access-date=14 May 2014}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140514053603/http://www.cicc.chula.ac.th/en/current-campaign/203-likelihood-of-earthquakes-in-thailand.html Likelihood of earthquakes in Thailand]
- {{EQ-isc-link|604514202}}
{{Earthquakes in 2014}}