The 7.7 Myanmar temblor raises questions about earthquake preparedness in Southeast Asia — and California. What can the rest of the world learn?

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Southeast Asia, causing widespread damage. These photos show the devastating impact.

Rescuers freed a woman from the ruins of a hotel in Myanmar, officials said on Monday, a glimmer of hope three days after a massive earthquake that killed around 2,000 as searchers in Myanmar and Thailand raced against time to find more survivors.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake and an aftershock measuring 6.4 rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand on Friday, bringing down buildings and disrupting power supplies and transport services.

While China, Russia and other nations have rushed emergency response teams to the devastated country, the U.S., once a leader in foreign aid, has been slow to act.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar midday on Friday, killing at least three in Bangkok.

The earthquake struck close to Myanmar's second largest city, Mandalay, at 06:20 GMT on Friday - around noon in South East Asia. The main shock was recorded as a magnitude 7.7 earthquake by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 centred in the Sagaing region near the Myanmar city of Mandalay caused extensive damage in that country and also shook neighbouring Thailand on Friday.