What’s behind the consecutive earthquakes in Bangladesh

On Friday, 21 November, the nation woke up to a powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake that shook the entire country. But the trauma did not end there. Barely 32 hours later, three more mild tremors—measuring 3.3, 3.7, and 4.3 in magnitude—were felt.

The most alarming part? All of them originated within the country—in Dhaka or nearby areas. The Friday quake struck from Madhabdi in Narsingdi, the second from Baipail, and the latter two from Narsingdi and Badda in the capital. 

This indicates that strong earthquakes are now occurring more frequently within Bangladesh itself, rather than only from neighbouring India or Myanmar.

It was not the only earthquake Bangladesh experienced on 21 November. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), 76 earthquakes have struck Bangladesh and neighbouring countries in 2025.

Seismologists classify the 21 November Narsingdi–Madhabdi earthquake as an intraplate event—a rupture occurring within the Indian Plate rather than along a plate boundary.

A brief history of earthquakes in Bangladesh

Historically, many large shocks felt in what is now Bangladesh originated outside the country, including the 1897 Shillong earthquake, also known as the Great Indian Earthquake, the 1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake, and other powerful tremors in neighboring India and Myanmar that propagated into Bengal.

Bangladesh has also experienced major earthquakes originating within its own crust. Notable examples include the 1642 Sylhet earthquake, which damaged buildings without causing casualties; the 1762 Chattogram–Arakan earthquake, one of the deadliest in the region, which killed around 500 people in Dhaka, submerged villages, caused unusual river surges, and reportedly triggered volcanoes in the Sitakunda hills; and the 1775 and 1812 tremors, which shook Dhaka and Sylhet but caused minimal damage.

Later quakes, including the 1865 Sitakunda earthquake, which expelled sand and mud from fissures; the nearly magnitude‑7 1885 Bengal (Manikganj) earthquake; and the magnitude‑7.6 1918 Sreemangal earthquake, caused severe structural damage across multiple districts.

Recent events underscore that seismic stress remains active within the country. Moderate but damaging tremors struck Chattogram in 1997 (magnitude 6) and Moheshkhali in 1999 (magnitude 5.2). The Narsingdi–Madhabdi earthquake, like some earlier quakes, originated along internal fault systems, including the Madhupur Fault. Improved seismic monitoring and continuous measurements of plate motion are now making these patterns of internal activity more apparent, highlighting Bangladesh's growing earthquake vulnerability.

What's at play underneath?

Bangladesh lies at the intersection of three tectonic bodies — the Indian Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the Burma (Myanmar) microplate — making it a highly active seismic region. GPS measurements indicate that many of its faults are still shifting by a few millimetres each year, showing that stress continues to accumulate and could trigger future earthquakes.

The Indian Plate is slowly moving northeast, pressing beneath the Burma Microplate and pushing against the Eurasian Plate. This motion squeezes the Bengal Basin, putting stress not only on the main plate boundaries but also on faults inside the country, such as the Madhupur Fault, the Dauki Fault, and the Sylhet–Assam Fault. When these internal faults shift, they generate shallow earthquakes, whose energy travels through the soft, water‑logged soils covering much of central Bangladesh.

The eastern part of the country lies near the Arakan subduction zone, where the Indian Plate dives beneath the Burma microplate—a region capable of producing very strong earthquakes. Scientists warn that both internal faults and nearby plate boundaries contribute to Bangladesh's vulnerability, underscoring the need for careful monitoring and preparedness. 

Certain areas are particularly at risk: the Sylhet Division and parts of Mymensingh and Sunamganj near the Dauki Fault; the central districts around Dhaka and Tangail near the Madhupur Fault; and Chittagong along with surrounding coastal areas near the Chittagong–Myanmar plate boundary.

The tectonic activity beneath Bangladesh is both significant and concerning.

The Indian Plate is slowly moving northeast, sliding beneath the Burma Microplate and pressing against the Eurasian Plate. This motion squeezes the Bengal Basin, placing stress not only on the main plate boundaries but also on internal faults within the country, such as the Madhupur Fault, the Dauki Fault, and the Sylhet–Assam Fault.

When these internal faults shift, they generate shallow earthquakes, whose energy passes through the soft, water‑logged soils covering much of central Bangladesh. These soils amplify the shaking, making even moderate quakes more hazardous. Because intraplate earthquakes occur within the plate itself, they often strike with little warning in areas where cities and populations are most vulnerable.

Soil and local ground conditions made a moderate earthquake far more dangerous for residents. Dhaka sits on thick, soft soil deposited by the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna rivers. When earthquake waves pass through these wet, loose layers, they slow down but intensify—a process called site amplification. This prolongs and strengthens the shaking, particularly on the upper floors of tall buildings, where motion can even resonate. As a result, one part of the city may barely feel the quake while another area experiences severe shaking. Over-pumping of groundwater has further weakened some areas, increasing the risk of liquefaction, where the ground temporarily behaves like a liquid during shaking, making impacts even more unpredictable.

Dhaka's infrastructural 'faults'

Dhaka's infrastructure amplifies the danger posed by earthquakes. Authorities identified dozens of high-rise buildings with dangerous tilts or large cracks. At least 50 buildings in the city were officially marked as damaged, while many others were sealed off or evacuated.

Public infrastructure revealed both strengths and weaknesses during the quake. Dhaka Metro Rail officials noted that their main structures were designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 7, but cracks appeared in several stations shortly after the tremor. This demonstrates that even well-designed structures on paper can perform differently under real shaking, highlighting the gap between planning and practical verification. Additionally, narrow streets, crowded buildings, and blocked open spaces made evacuation extremely difficult. Field reports indicated that many residents had nowhere safe to gather, turning a moderate earthquake into a serious urban emergency.

From a seismic perspective, the key question isn't just that the plates moved this time—they clearly did—but what that movement means for future earthquakes. Intraplate earthquakes, which occur within a tectonic plate, release some local stress but can also transfer forces to nearby faults or locked sections elsewhere. Bangladesh sits near a large, locked portion of the Indo‑Burma subduction zone, a seismic gap capable of producing a far more powerful earthquake if it ruptures.

Experts emphasise that Dhaka's vulnerability is particularly acute. Md Momenul Islam, director (current charge) of the BMD, told The Business Standard, "This earthquake's epicentre was very close to Dhaka, which is why it was felt so intensely. Even if an earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher occurs in Rangamati or Khagrachhari, we do not feel such a strong jolt in Dhaka. However, if this earthquake had lasted just five to seven seconds longer, many buildings in Dhaka would have collapsed."

Rubaiyat Kabir, head of BMD's Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, added context on the region's broader seismic risk. "Bangladesh sits on the Indian Plate, bordered by the Eurasian Plate to the north and the Myanmar Plate to the east, and earthquakes occur in this region quite often. Quakes like today's are not frequent, but considering the recurrence interval of major earthquakes, there is still a possibility of a significant event in this region," he said.

Surveys also highlight how fragile the city's infrastructure remains. According to the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake would collapse 72,000 buildings and severely damage another 1.5 lakh. Older buildings on weak soil and high-rises over six storeys that were constructed without adherence to the building code would face the greatest risk.

Geo-hazard specialist Mohan Kumar Das, joint secretary of the South Asian Meteorological Association, told the media that Bangladesh has experienced a series of earthquakes in recent years and is now in a particularly "sensitive" state, making it vulnerable to strong or major tremors. He noted that the country lacks instruments to monitor tectonic plate movements and identify areas at heightened risk. "With proper monitoring, we could determine which regions are becoming earthquake-prone and take preventive measures," he said, emphasising the need for collaboration between operational agencies and academic researchers to better understand seismic hazards.

Das also highlighted that many of the casualties from Friday's earthquake occurred because people were unaware of immediate safety measures. He stressed the importance of public education on earthquake preparedness and suggested that fire services, community groups, and volunteers should play a key role in raising awareness.

Dhaka's dense population, poorly constructed high-rises, slums, narrow streets, and waterlogged soils all amplify the danger. Experts estimate that, in the event of a major quake, financial losses could exceed $1 billion in the transport sector, $887 million in water and wastewater systems, and $27.1 million in electricity infrastructure. Unlike highly earthquake-prone regions such as Japan or California, Bangladesh lacks widespread public awareness, regular emergency drills, and an efficient disaster response system — leaving the city acutely exposed to disaster.