Correlation between tectonic plate junction and great earthquake

Abstract

On 26th December 2004 an unusually large earthquake of magnitude 9.1 occurred off the coast of northern Sumatra, along the zone of subduction between the India and the Burma plates. This earthquake also triggered a killer tsunami causing massive death and destruction. On 28 March 2005, about 3 months later, another Great earthquake of magnitude 8.7 occurred just about 250 km southeast of the 26 December 2004 event. Such close spatial proximity of two Great earthquakes occurring within a very short span of 3 months is unprecedented. It is, however, interesting to note that the epicentral locations of these two Great earthquakes are very close to the quadruple-junction comprising the India, Burma, Australia and Sunda plates, suggesting the possibility of multiple plate interaction for generation of Great earthquakes.