KOTA KINABALU: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 struck off Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island early Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake hit shortly before 1 a.m. local time and was centered offshore north of Kota Belud, the USGS said, with the tremor originating deep below the surface. No tsunami warning was issued in connection with the event, and officials reported no immediate indications of damage or injuries in Sabah.
Sabah officials monitor conditions after a deep offshore earthquake, no damage reported. (AI-generated image)
The USGS reported the earthquake at magnitude 7.1 and a depth of about 619.8 kilometers, with an epicenter around 55 kilometers north-northwest of Kota Belud. The origin time was listed as 16:57:46 UTC on Sunday, corresponding to 12:57 a.m. Monday in Malaysia. The location placed the quake in waters off northern Sabah, a region where residents can experience strong shaking from large seismic events across the surrounding seas.
Malaysia’s Meteorological Department, known as MetMalaysia, issued a separate assessment putting the earthquake at magnitude 6.8 and a depth of 678 kilometers. In its press release, MetMalaysia said the epicenter was at latitude 7.0 degrees north and longitude 116.4 degrees east, about 49 kilometers west of Kudat. The agency said tremors were felt along Sabah’s west coast and in several areas of neighboring Sarawak, reflecting the wide area that can notice movement from deep earthquakes.
Tsunami assessment
MetMalaysia said its assessment found no tsunami threat to Malaysia. The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center also issued an information statement for its coverage area that said there was no tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat in effect related to the quake. Such bulletins are issued after large earthquakes to provide rapid guidance on potential sea-level hazards, based on initial quake parameters and monitoring data as available.
On the ground in Sabah, emergency services carried out checks after residents reported feeling the earthquake. The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department said it had not received any earthquake-related emergency calls in the immediate aftermath and that stations were conducting patrols and monitoring in their respective areas. Officials said the checks focused on coastal and other locations where authorities routinely look for signs of impact following strong tremors.
Context for Sabah seismic activity
Sabah has experienced damaging earthquakes in the past, including a magnitude 6.0 quake near Ranau in June 2015 that triggered deadly rockfalls on Mount Kinabalu and killed 18 people. Monday’s quake occurred offshore and at a much greater depth than the 2015 event, factors reflected in the early reports of widespread shaking but no immediate accounts of major surface damage. Authorities said they continued to review field conditions as updates became available.
MetMalaysia said it would continue to monitor the situation closely, while the USGS continued to publish event parameters as part of its global earthquake reporting. Officials in Sabah said residents should rely on official updates as routine monitoring continues and initial checks are completed. No tsunami threat was reported by Malaysia’s meteorological authorities, and no immediate damage reports were confirmed in early official updates. – By Content Syndication Services.