1838 Earthquake: Ava (Innwa), Myanmar
An earthquake struck Ava (Innwa), Myanmar in 1838.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- 1838
- Place
- Ava (Innwa), Myanmar
- Tsunami
- None recorded
- Epicenter
- 21.800° N, 96.000° E
- Country
- Myanmar
The toll
- Damage
- Severe (about $5 to $25 million)
Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
The ruin of the Nanmyin watch-tower, which is all that remains of Bagyidaw's palace, was damaged heavily. Its upper portion collapsed and it began leaning because the earth was sinking beneath it. The same earthquake, which caused widespread damage throughout the area, hastened the final abandonment of Ava. Seven-tiered prayer hall suffered heavy damage. (reference #1185)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
- March 28, 2025, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand
- March 23, 1839, Ava, Amarapura, Myanmar
- July 16, 1956, Myanmar
- November 11, 2012, Shwebo, Myanmar
- August 24, 2016, Chauk, Myanmar
- April 13, 2016, Assam, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar
- July 8, 1975, Pagan (Bagan), Myanmar
- 1467, Ava (Innwa), Myanmar
- 1501, Ava (Innwa), Myanmar
- September 15, 1696, Ava (Innwa), Myanmar
- August 4, 1714, Ava (Innwa), Mynamar (Burma), Myanmar
- July 24, 1485, Sagaing, Myanmar
- May 23, 1912, Mandalay, Mogok, Maymyo, Myanmar
More
Significant earthquakes of 1838The 1800sRecent earthquakes near here
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 1805.