The cause of the earthquake with a 7.7 magnitude that hit central Myanmar and parts of Bangkok, Thailand, has been revealed.

The United States Geological Survey, USGS, announced on Friday morning that an earthquake with a 7.7 magnitude had occurred in Myanmar with Bangkok among other areas affected.

The earthquake was described as shallow, arising at a depth of just 10km (6 miles), but the damage is expected to be enormous.

Following the collapse of multiple buildings, destruction of roads and bridges, the death toll is climbing from the current 144 with fatalities reported in both Myanmar and Thailand.

According to experts, earthquakes occur when huge slabs of rock that make up the Earth’s crust, known as tectonic plates, move against each other.

USGS said that the Myanmar quake occurred as the result of “strike slip faulting” between the India and Eurasia plates.

It means that these two tectonic plates rubbed sideways against each other.

US Agency reveals cause of Myanmar, Thailand earthquake