The strongest intensity was felt in the towns of Nyaung-U, Pakokku, and Yesagyo, and in the Myaing townships on the confluence of the Ayeyawady River.

Art historians rank the archeological treasures of Bagan (formerly called Pagan) with the renowned temple complex at Angkor Wat or with the European artworks of Venice and Florence.

The earthquake "irreparably damaged many of the great temples of Bagan, an artistic landmark of Asia and the center of the Burmese national culture.

"[1] Burma's Director General of Archeology said the earthquake the worst in the last 900 years of recorded history.

[citation needed] Earthquakes occurring within the Indian plate could be traced up to 200 km beneath the crust.