6.8-magnitude Earthquake A Shocking, Rare Phenomenon In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- A strong magnitude 6.8 earthquake, which struck waters off Sabah at 12.57 am today, has been described as a shocking and rare phenomenon for the state.

Chief executive officer of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Sabah, Prof Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, said the quake was considered unusual, as it occurred outside the main active zone of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Ramzah, who is also an expert in climatology and climate change, said an earthquake of such high magnitude is regarded as an extraordinary event, noting that similar seismic activity in the area last occurred more than a century ago.

“Geologically, the continental shelf in the Borneo-South China Sea region lies on the edge of the Eurasian and Philippine tectonic plates, which makes this area relatively stable and not prone to violent seismic activity.

“Energy from major crustal movements is usually released along the Pacific Ring of Fire. However, in this case, the energy was released in a zone that is rarely active - like a house that is usually quiet, suddenly beginning to rumble,” he told Bernama.

Earlier today, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said that the earthquake, which struck waters off Sabah at 12.57 am, did not pose any tsunami threat.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located about 49 kilometres west of Kudat, with tremors felt in several parts of Sabah, as well as in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

Elaborating further, Ramzah said the earth’s crust is constantly ‘alive’, with tectonic plates moving a few centimetres each year, causing pressure to build up gradually and silently over time.

When asked whether a similar event could occur again in Sabah, he said that there are currently no signs or scientific technologies capable of predicting when this accumulated pressure will be released as seismic energy, unlike weather-related phenomena such as typhoons and cyclones, which can be forecast in advance.

As such, he urged the Sabahans to view this earthquake as an important reminder to remain aware and prepared for natural hazards.

“We often feel safe because we are not located directly within the Pacific Ring of Fire, but the reality is that we are still neighbours to a very dynamic earth system.

“Nature is never truly static. This awareness is what matters most - that stability is not permanent, and everything can change in just a moment,” he added.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre confirmed that the situation is currently under control and that no emergency calls related to the earthquake have been received.

“Monitoring and patrols are still being carried out to ensure public safety, and that environmental conditions remain safe and under control,” it said.

-- BERNAMA