n March 28, 2025, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar, causing widespread devastation. The epicenter was located near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and the tremors were felt across the region. This powerful earthquake has resulted in significant human and infrastructural losses, with over 1,700 confirmed dead and more than 3,400 injured.
The earthquake also caused severe damage to critical infrastructure, including the collapse of the historic Ava Bridge, a vital transportation link in the region. The situation prompted the activation of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS), which swiftly launched its Rapid Mapping module to assess the extent of the damage. This activation (EMSR798) aimed to provide immediate emergency mapping support, enabling timely and accurate data for first responders and recovery efforts.
Following the earthquake, the Copernicus EMS was activated to map areas of interest and provide initial damage assessments. The service focused on 11 key areas, providing high-resolution imagery and analysis to determine the scope of destruction. The data collected by CEMS helped to visualize the significant damage in affected villages, including Pha Duu (Pa Du), one of the most severely impacted areas.
A detailed image based on Copernicus data showed the devastating impact of the earthquake in Pha Duu. The data revealed that over 1,200 buildings had been potentially damaged or destroyed, and approximately 8 kilometers of roads were also affected. The images and data provided by Copernicus EMS have proven essential in guiding the response efforts, helping local authorities and humanitarian teams identify areas most in need of assistance.
In addition to the initial 7.7 magnitude earthquake, the region experienced a strong aftershock at 06:32 UTC, just 12 minutes later. The aftershock, measuring 6.4 in magnitude, further exacerbated the already precarious situation. With nearly 3 million people exposed to the severe shaking, the Copernicus EMS continued its monitoring efforts to track the evolving situation.
The CEMS Rapid Mapping service, requested for both initial rough estimations and detailed damage assessments, has played a crucial role in providing real-time data to emergency responders. This service ensures that the areas most in need of aid are quickly identified, and relief can be dispatched effectively.
The role of Copernicus EMS in disaster response cannot be overstated. By providing timely, accurate, and actionable geospatial data, Copernicus EMS supports emergency management teams and humanitarian organizations in making informed decisions during critical moments. The service’s ability to produce maps, assess damage, and monitor post-disaster conditions is invaluable in disaster recovery operations.
All data, including maps and reports from the Copernicus EMS response to this earthquake, are available to the public through the Copernicus EMS website. These resources are accessible to anyone who requires up-to-date information to support disaster management and recovery efforts.
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