On a quiet Friday afternoon in late March, during midday prayers, central Myanmar was shaken by a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake. It struck along the Sagaing Fault—one of Southeast Asia’s most active and dangerous fault lines—and turned out to be the strongest tremor to hit the region in over a hundred years. But what followed has changed the way scientists study earthquakes.
For the first time in history, a CCTV camera caught the exact moment the Earth ripped open. It recorded the surface shifting 2.5 metres sideways in a flash—just 1.3 seconds. This isn’t just rare. It’s never happened before.
Kyoto University researchers analysed the footage using a pixel cross-correlation technique. The results were clear and direct: the ground slipped 2.5 metres at a speed of 3.2 metres per second.
“The brief duration of motion confirms a pulse-like rupture, characterised by a concentrated burst of slip propagating along the fault, much like a ripple travelling down a rug when flicked from one end,” said Jesse Kearse, corresponding author of the study.
“We did not anticipate that this video record would provide such a rich variety of detailed observations. Such kinematic data is critical for advancing our understanding of earthquake source physics,” said Kearse.
This finding aligns with global geological evidence suggesting that rupture paths often curve in response to underground stress patterns. The Sagaing Fault, which stretches over 1,200 kilometres, has a long record of producing powerful earthquakes, with four magnitude 7+ events over the last century alone. This footage now provides the clearest view yet of how these ruptures actually unfold.
The video bridges the gap between seismic theory and physical evidence. It offers a new way to validate and refine models used in early warning systems. With more data like this, those systems can get smarter—triggering alerts based on a better understanding of how quickly, and in what manner, faults rupture.
The earthquake caused severe damage in Myanmar and neighbouring regions, with over 5,000 lives lost. But the footage may lead to advances that help reduce the toll of future disasters.
The Kyoto University team now plans to run simulations based on the rupture’s motion to better understand the forces behind it. This could help reshape building codes, guide emergency planning, and improve structural safety in quake-prone areas worldwide.
Their findings, published in The Seismic Record, also add weight to calls for placing more CCTV systems near active faults. One video has already changed the field. More could push it even further.
Now, thanks to one well-placed camera, there’s proof.
And with it, comes the start of a new chapter in earthquake research—one that’s closer to the ground, and closer to the truth.
For the first time in history, a CCTV camera caught the exact moment the Earth ripped open. It recorded the surface shifting 2.5 metres sideways in a flash—just 1.3 seconds. This isn’t just rare. It’s never happened before.
2.5 metre split in 1.3 seconds
The footage shows a clear, raw sequence of the ground tearing apart. It captured what scientists call a strike-slip rupture—where blocks of the Earth’s crust grind past each other horizontally. These are typically invisible to the eye, especially in real time. But this time, the camera was positioned close enough to witness the moment the fault snapped.Kyoto University researchers analysed the footage using a pixel cross-correlation technique. The results were clear and direct: the ground slipped 2.5 metres at a speed of 3.2 metres per second.
“The brief duration of motion confirms a pulse-like rupture, characterised by a concentrated burst of slip propagating along the fault, much like a ripple travelling down a rug when flicked from one end,” said Jesse Kearse, corresponding author of the study.
A curved fault, not a straight line
Previous models have often assumed that fault ruptures travel in straight lines. But this video challenged that idea. The team’s analysis showed the slip path was subtly curved—confirming what some geological surveys had hinted at but never proven.“We did not anticipate that this video record would provide such a rich variety of detailed observations. Such kinematic data is critical for advancing our understanding of earthquake source physics,” said Kearse.
This finding aligns with global geological evidence suggesting that rupture paths often curve in response to underground stress patterns. The Sagaing Fault, which stretches over 1,200 kilometres, has a long record of producing powerful earthquakes, with four magnitude 7+ events over the last century alone. This footage now provides the clearest view yet of how these ruptures actually unfold.
A new tool in the seismologist's kit
This isn’t just a scientific curiosity—it’s a practical tool. Until now, most fault motion studies relied on data collected from seismic sensors located far from the rupture zone. Those readings are valuable, but indirect. Now, seismologists have something they’ve never had before: visual proof.The video bridges the gap between seismic theory and physical evidence. It offers a new way to validate and refine models used in early warning systems. With more data like this, those systems can get smarter—triggering alerts based on a better understanding of how quickly, and in what manner, faults rupture.
The earthquake caused severe damage in Myanmar and neighbouring regions, with over 5,000 lives lost. But the footage may lead to advances that help reduce the toll of future disasters.
The Kyoto University team now plans to run simulations based on the rupture’s motion to better understand the forces behind it. This could help reshape building codes, guide emergency planning, and improve structural safety in quake-prone areas worldwide.
Their findings, published in The Seismic Record, also add weight to calls for placing more CCTV systems near active faults. One video has already changed the field. More could push it even further.
A scientific goldmine, hidden in plain sight
It’s not every day that a standard security camera captures something this extraordinary. For decades, researchers have theorised about pulse-like ruptures and curved slip paths. But they’ve had to make do with incomplete data.Now, thanks to one well-placed camera, there’s proof.
And with it, comes the start of a new chapter in earthquake research—one that’s closer to the ground, and closer to the truth.
