Direct Estimation of Earthquake Source Properties from a Single CCTV Camera

Abstract

We present a direct measurement of the slip-rate function from a natural coseismic rupture, recorded on March 28, 2025, during the $M_w$ 7.7 Mandalay earthquake (Myanmar). This measurement was made on video footage of the surface rupture captured by a security camera located only meters away from the fault trace. Using direct image analysis, we measured the relative slip at each time step and deduced the slip rate. Our results show a local slip duration of 1.4 s and cumulative slip of $\sim$3 m, during which surface slip velocity peaked at $\sim$3.5 m/s with passage of the rupture front. These findings demonstrate the pulse-like nature of the seismic rupture, at the location of the recording. Using slip-pulse elastodynamic rupture models, we obtain the complete mechanical properties of this pulse, including the energy release rate.