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Sunda Plate

The Sunda Plate underlies much of Southeast Asia and is bounded by some of Earth's most destructive subduction zones. The devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred along its boundary with the Australia Plate. The plate carries major cities across Southeast Asia and experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Its complex boundaries involve interactions with the Indian, Australian, Philippine Sea, and Eurasian plates.

Sunda Plate map

Plate Information

Size: 9 million km²
Movement: Southeast
Speed: 3 cm/year
Countries: 9

Countries & Territories

Indonesia (partial)
Malaysia
Thailand
Singapore
Brunei
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Myanmar (partial)

Key Facts

  • Sometimes considered part of the Eurasian Plate
  • Bounded by major subduction zones
  • High seismic and volcanic hazard
  • Includes the 2004 Sumatra earthquake region