Source: How badly 7.2 Earthquake hits Myanmar near China and 7.2 Earthquake hits Thailand borders

24 March 2011 9:55p.m. -A powerful earthquake hit Myanmar Thursday near its borders with China, Thailand and Laos.

The quake hit in eastern Myanmar, about 55 miles (89 km) north of Chiang Rai, Thailand, the survey reported.

It had a magnitude of 6.8, the survey said, revising the estimate down from an initial reading of 7.0.

It was a relatively shallow quake, which can be very destructive.

The Geological Survey initially said the quake had a depth of 142 miles (230km), but it later revised its estimate to say the quake was 6 miles (10 km) deep, putting it fairly close to the surface.

A second quake hit about half an hour later, with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8, the USGS said.

Source: How badly 7.2 Earthquake hits Myanmar near China and 7.2 Earthquake hits Thailand borders