DOI: 10.5066/p1rymwck
title: Remote Surface Rupture Observations for the M7.7 2025 Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar) Earthquake

description: This data release contains datasets that depict fault rupture and surface displacement from the M7.7 Mandalay, Myanmar, earthquake on March 28, 2025. The earthquake caused ~475 km of right-lateral surface rupture on the Sagaing fault in Myanmar. These data were based on rapid analysis of available satellite data after the earthquake and updated as more information became available. They were provided provisionally and can be viewed interactively at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e40a6967c3ea42dd85bf44037e05482b. These data were mapped rapidly following the March 28, 2025, earthquake to support scientific and humanitarian response. Initial preliminary rupture traces were released to the public via the above web map and used in National Earthquake Information Center response. This data release represents the final data compilation. For updated datasets, we provide both provisional and final versions of the datasets, each marked with the date it was released and “provisional” or “final”. These datasets are based on remote sensing and have not been ground checked. Details of each dataset are below in “Explanation of Data”.
 
Disclaimer: "Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government."
 

Explanation of Data:
 
Optical Pixel Offsets 
Surface displacement fields, decomposed into north-south and east-west components, derived from sub-pixel correlation of Sentinel-2 (10 m), Landsat (15 m), and PlanetDove (3 m) optical satellite images. The layer names indicate the sensor source, pre-earthquake acquisition date (yyyymmdd), post-earthquake acquisition date (yyyymmdd), and displacement component (NS or EW). The PlanetDove scenes were merged into pre- (March 26 and 28, 47 images) and post-earthquake (March 30 and 31, 61 images) composite scenes prior to correlation with MicMac (Rosu and others, 2015; Rupnik and others, 2017). Sentinel-2 and Landsat pixel correlations results were processed using the Caltech COSI-Corr package (Ayoub and others, 2009; Aati and others, 2022) in two batches based on availability date (20250325-20250330 and 20250327-20250401 for Sentinel-2, 20250316-20250401 and 20250317-20250402 for Landsat 8 and 9). Sub-pixel offsets maps were destriped to mitigate sensor artifacts. Sentinel-2 (S2) observations are Copernicus Sentinel data processed by the European Space Agency. Landsat-8 and Landsat-9 (LS) images courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. Planet images © 2025 Planet Labs PBC accessed via the U.S. Government Plus (USG+) license. The raster datasets are provided in .tif format. Landsat results are provided in UTM Zone 47 N (epsg=32647). Sentinel-2 and PlanetDove results are provided in WGS84 (epsg=4326).
 
Image Pairs:
2025.03.25-2025.03.30 (Sentinel-2)
2025.03.27-2025.04.01 (Sentinel-2)
2025.03.16-2025.04.01 (Landsat-8)
2025.03.17-2025.04.02 (Landsat-9)
2025.03.26&28-2025.03.30&31 (PlanetDove)
 
Result Files:
s2.zip: (80 m resolution)
-       s2_20250325_20250330_EW-destriped.tif
-       s2_20250325_20250330_NS-destriped.tif
-       s2_20250327_20250401_EW-destriped.tif
-       s2_20250327_20250401_NS-destriped.tif
landsat.zip: (120 m resolution)
-       LC08_L1TP_133044_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133044_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133044_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133044_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133045_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133045_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133045_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133045_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133046_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133046_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133046_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133046_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133047_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133047_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC08_L1TP_133047_20250316_20250327_02_T1_B8_VS_LC08_L1TP_133047_20250401_20250401_02_RT_B8-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
-       LC09_L1TP_132046_20250317_20250317_02_T1_B8-cropped_VS_LC09_L1TP_132046_20250402_20250402_02_T1_B8-cropped-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC09_L1TP_132046_20250317_20250317_02_T1_B8-cropped_VS_LC09_L1TP_132046_20250402_20250402_02_T1_B8-cropped-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
-       LC09_L1TP_132047_20250317_20250317_02_T1_B8-cropped_VS_LC09_L1TP_132047_20250402_20250402_02_T1_B8-cropped-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC09_L1TP_132047_20250317_20250317_02_T1_B8-cropped_VS_LC09_L1TP_132047_20250402_20250402_02_T1_B8-cropped-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
-       LC09_L1TP_132048_20250317_20250317_02_T1_B8-cropped_VS_LC09_L1TP_132048_20250402_20250402_02_T1_B8-cropped-destriped-76.8_EW.tif
-       LC09_L1TP_132048_20250317_20250317_02_T1_B8-cropped_VS_LC09_L1TP_132048_20250402_20250402_02_T1_B8-cropped-destriped-76.8_NS.tif
planet.zip (10 m resolution)
-       planet_EW.tif
-       planet_NS.tif
 
 
Simple Rupture Trace 
Simplified mapping of fault traces observed from displacement discontinuities in pixel correlation results. Mapping was performed at 1:250,000 scale from Sentinel-2 and PlanetDove pixel correlation with 80-m and 3-m resolution, respectively. The mapped traces are inferred, rather than directly observed, fault rupture traces based on displacement discontinuities observed in the pixel correlation results. These simplified fault traces were adjusted to be co-located with the detailed surface rupture mapping. The vector data files are provided in shapefile, geoJSON, and KML format in WGS84 (epsg=4326), grouped by date.
 
Files included in simple_rupture_trace.zip:
-       simple_rupture_trace_20250331_provisional.zip
-       simple_rupture_trace_20250401_provisional.zip
-       simple_rupture_trace_20250401v2_provisional.zip
-       simple_rupture_trace_20250409_provisional.zip
-       simple_rupture_trace_20250710_final.zip
 
 
Surface Rupture Lines 
Mapping was performed on high-resolution (<1 m/pixel) WorldView 1, 2, and 3, BlackSky, ((C) Maxar, 2025) and SkySat (Planet, 2025) optical images accessed through the USG+ license agreement. We estimate the accuracy of the mapped surface rupture lines to be within tens of meters of a surface rupture trace on the ground, assuming the images are accurately georeferenced. The lines in this compilation are interpreted as primary tectonic deformation. The compilation does not include shaking-related secondary deformation features, such as landslides, liquefaction, or lateral spreading. Images used for mapping were collected on or after March 29, 2025, and were compared to pre-earthquake imagery from high-resolution optical satellites and/or Google or Bing satellite images.  North of 21.7888°N, mapping was updated based on post-earthquake satellite imagery served by Google in June and July 2025. The vector data files are provided in shapefile, geoJSON, and KML formats in WGS84 (epsg=4326), grouped by date.
 
Files included in surface_fault_ruptures.zip:
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250401_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250402_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250403_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250408_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250422_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250506_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250516_provisional.zip
-       surface_fault_ruptures_20250715_final.zip
 
 
Slip Distribution from S2 Pixel Correlation 
Fault-parallel displacement measurements are derived from fault-perpendicular profiles from the S2 pixel correlation NS and EW results projected into a local fault-parallel reference frame. In the provisional datasets from 20250331 and 20250401, profiles are 10 km long, 1 km wide, and spaced 2 km apart. In the final and arctan versions from 20250421 and 20250602, respectively, profiles are 12 km long, 1 km wide, and spaced 1 km apart, for 488 unique measurements. In the datasets from 20250331, 20250401, and 20250421, fault zone width is manually defined for each profile and fault-parallel displacement in meters is an average of four displacement measurements derived from linear regressions or means taken from each side of the fault zone based on 1.2 km of data or the entire profile (5 or 6 km) and projected onto the fault location. The preferred fault-parallel displacement value (“disp_parallel_m”) is an average of the four measurement methods in meters. The maximum (“disp_max_m”) and minimum (“disp_min_m”) are the maximum and minimum 1-sigma uncertainty from the four methods in meters.  In the dataset from 20250602, measurements are derived from automated methods that estimate fault zone width and displacement from functions that fit an arctangent and an arctangent with independent slopes to the data in the profile. The preferred fault-parallel displacement value (“disp_parallel_m”) is an average of the two automatic methods. The maximum (“disp_max_m”) and minimum (“disp_min_m”) are the maximum and minimum 1-sigma uncertainty from the two methods in meters.  See the companion manuscript for full methods. “profile_id” is the number of the fault-perpendicular profile. “dist_from_epi_km” is the distance of the measurement point from the earthquake epicenter in kilometers, based on the UTM northing value. “UTM_x” and “UTM_y” are the easting and northing in UTM zone 47 North (EPSG:32647). The vector data files are provided in shapefile, geoJSON, KML, and csv formats in WGS84 (epsg=4326), grouped by date.
 
Files included in s2_parallel_displacement.zip:
-       s2_parallel_displacement_20250331_provisional.zip
-       s2_parallel_displacement_20250401_provisional.zip
-       s2_parallel_displacement_20250421_final.zip
-       s2_parallel_displacement_20250602_arctan.zip
 
 
Manual Offset Measurements from High-Resolution Optical Images 
Displacements measurements are from high-resolution optical images of natural or cultural features right-laterally offset by the rupture. We prioritized high-quality measurements where a simple (e.g., single-stranded) rupture trace intersects distinct and sub-linear features (e.g., field or road edges) at close to a 90-degree angle. Displacements were measured by projecting features observable in the WorldView (0.3-0.5 m) and SkySat (0.5 m) satellite images into the fault rupture and then measuring the displacement parallel to the rupture trend (e.g., Gold and others, 2015). Data fields include (1) Feature, the natural or cultural feature measured, (2) H_pref_m, preferred fault-parallel (right-lateral) displacement in meters, (3) H_min_m, minimum fault-parallel displacement in meters, and (4) H_max_m, maximum fault-parallel displacement in meters (e.g., DuRoss and others, 2024). Spatial coordinates (UTM_x and UTM_y) are for WGS 84 / UTM zone 47N (EPSG 32647). Measurement uncertainty (H_min_m to H_max_m for each point) is based on feature projections and for most measurements is at least twice the image pixel resolution (0.5 m). These measurements may not include additional centimeter-scale displacement along subparallel rupture branches not mappable at the pixel resolution of the satellite images. The vector data are provided in CSV, shapefile, geojson, and KML formats in WGS84 (epsg=4326).
 
 
Files included in manual_parallel_displacement.zip:
-       manual_parallel_displacement_20250402_provisional.zip
-       manual_parallel_displacement_20250403_provisional.zip
-       manual_parallel_displacement_20250409_provisional.zip
-       manual_parallel_displacement_20250508_provisional.zip
-       manual_parallel_displacement_20250717_final.zip
 
 
Simple Fault Classification
This layer classifies the simple fault every 0.0005 degrees (~55 m) along the rupture to describe that section of mapping as “rupture” (surface rupture visible in very-high-resolution optical images), “obstruction” (ground surface obstructed in very-high-resolution optical images) or “gap” (no surface rupture visible in very-high-resolution optical images and the ground surface is visible). These values are recorded in the “ObsRuptGap” field. The “ViewObstr” field describes the type of obstruction if applicable (e.g., trees, surface water, development/neighborhood, rough terrain, or clouds). The vector data are provided in shapefile, geojson, and KML formats in WGS84 (epsg=4326).
 
Files:
-       simple_fault_classification_20250716.zip
 
Image Extents 
Image extents (footprints) of the high-resolution optical images used for mapping the detailed surface rupture trace. Images are SkySat (Planet, 2025) and WorldView 1, 2, and 3 ((C) Maxar, 2025) accessed via the U.S.G. + end user license agreement. No high-resolution mapping is available outside of these image extents. The “platform” column gives the name of the satellite that took the image. SkySat, WorldView1, and WorldView2 are 0.5 m resolution. WorldView3 is 0.3 m resolution. The vector data are provided in shapefile, geojson, and KML formats in WGS84 (epsg=4326).
 
Files:
-       image_extents_20250513.zip
 
InSAR:
The interferometric wrapped phase (reported in radians) of the displacement field is derived from the complex phase difference between reference and repeat Sentinel-1 SAR acquisitions. Fringes represent small, coherent deformation of the Earth’s surface in the line-of-sight (LoS) of the observing radar. Sentinel-1 data were acquired in Interferometric Wideswath (IW) mode (250 km wide swaths, with 3 × 22 m resolution) by the European Space Agency (ESA). Interferograms are produced using GMTSAR software (Sandwell and others, 2016; Wessel and others, 2019; Xu and others, 2017). Topographic phase is removed using the SRTM 90m digital elevation model. Interferograms are Gaussian filtered at 100 m and then resampled at 50 m.  The raster data are provided as tif files in WGS84 (epsg=4326).
 
File names are in the format: 
<SAT>_<PATH>_<DATE1>-<DATE2>_<DATATYPE>.<EXT> 
SAT = Satellite (Sentinel-1 is S1) 
PATH = A or D indicates ascending or descending pass, followed by the track/path number followed by frame number if needed. 
DATE1 = Reference scene acquisition in the format YYYYMMDD 
DATE2 = Repeat scene acquisition in the format YYYYMMDD 
DATATYPE = Wrapped phase (phase) 
EXT = File type (geotiff) 
 Files:
-       S1_ A070-1246_ 20250322-20250403_phase.tif 
-       S1_ A070-1252_ 20250322-20250403_phase.tif 
-       S1_D033_ 20250319- 20250331_phase.tif 
-       S1_D106_ 20250324-20250405_phase.tif 
 
 
REFERENCES: 
 
Aati, S., Milliner, C., and Avouac, J.P., 2022, A new approach for 2-D and 3-D precise measurements of ground deformation from optimized registration and correlation of optical images and ICA-based filtering of image geometry artifacts: Remote Sensing of Environment, v. 277, article 113038, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2022.113038.  
 
Ayoub, F., Leprince, S., and Avouac, J.P., 2009, Co-registration and correlation of aerial photographs for ground deformation measurements: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, v. 64, no. 6, p. 551-560, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2009.03.005. 
 
DuRoss, C.B., Reitman, N.G., Hatem, A.E., Mason, H.B., Lavrentiadis,G., Asimaki, D., Milliner, C., Karakaş, M., and Seçen, B., 2024, Are Field Observations of Surface Rupture Useful? An Example from the 2023 Mw 7.8 Pazarcık, Turkey (Türkiye), Earthquake: Seismological Research Letters, v. 96, p. 848-867, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220240280 
 
Gold, R.D., Reitman, N.G., Briggs, R.W., Barnhart, W.D., Hayes, G.P., and Wilson, E., 2015, On- and off-fault deformation associated with the September 2013 Mw 7.7 Balochistan earthquake: Implications for geologic slip rate measurements: Tectonophysics,v. 660, p. 65-78, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2015.08.019.
 
Rosu, A.M., Pierrot-Deseilligny, M., Delorme, A., Binet, R., and Klinger, Y., 2015, Measurement of ground displacement from optical satellite image correlation using the free open-source software MicMac: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, v. 100, p. 48–59, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2014.03.002
 
Rupnik, E., Daakir, M., and Pierrot-Deseilligny, M., 2017, MicMac – A free, open-source solution for photogrammetry: Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards, v. 2, no. 14, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40965-017-0027-2

Sandwell, D., Mellors, R., Tong, X., Xu, X., Wei, M., and Wessel, P., 2016, GMTSAR: An InSAR Processing System Based on Generic Mapping Tools (Second Edition): https://topex.ucsd.edu/gmtsar/tar/GMTSAR_2ND_TEX.pdf

Wessel, P., Luis, J.F., Uieda, L., Scharroo, R., Wobbe, F., Smith, W.H.F., and Tian, D., 2019, The Generic Mapping Tools Version 6: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 20, no. 11, p. 5556–5564, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GC008515

Xu, X., Sandwell, D.T., Tymofyeyeva, E., Gonzalez-Ortega, A., and Tong, X., 2017, Tectonic and anthropogenic deformation at the cerro prieto geothermal step-over revealed by sentinel-1A InSAR: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, v. 55, no. 9, p. 5284–5292, https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2017.2704593