7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Sabah, Malaysia – Feb 23, 2024
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia, early Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 12:57 a.m. Local time, with its epicenter located less than 100 kilometers northeast of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, at a depth of 619.8 kilometers.
Even as the USGS initially reported a magnitude of 7.1, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (Metmalaysia) measured the quake at 6.8. Metmalaysia reported that tremors were felt along Sabah’s west coast and in several areas of Sarawak state. Despite the significant magnitude, the USGS assessed the likelihood of casualties or damage as low, and the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center did not issue any alerts, citing the quake’s depth as a mitigating factor against tsunami activity.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that, as of early Monday, no incidents had been reported following the earthquake. A statement from the department’s Operations Centre, relayed by Malaysian national news agency Bernama, indicated that all stations were actively patrolling and monitoring their areas to ensure public safety and maintain control of the situation.
Metmalaysia’s director-general, Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, stated that this quake was the strongest to hit Malaysia in eleven years. The previous strongest quake, with a magnitude of 6.0, occurred on June 5, 2015, in Ranau, Sabah, resulting in 18 fatalities and remaining a significant event in the country’s seismic history. Hisham explained that Sabah’s location near the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active seismic zone created by the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates, makes the region prone to earthquakes.
Reports of tremors extended beyond Malaysia, with residents in Singapore sharing experiences online. Posts on Reddit described shaking felt in areas such as Pasir Ris and Marine Parade, with some residents reporting sounds and swaying buildings shortly after 1:00 a.m. Local time.
A geological study conducted by a Malaysian government agency last October identified six states – Pahang, Terengganu, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, and Sarawak – as being at risk of earthquakes. This assessment followed a series of smaller earthquakes that struck Johor in late August of last year, registering magnitudes between 2.5 and 4.1.
As of Monday afternoon, Kota Kinabalu City Hall had not issued any further statements regarding damage assessments or ongoing monitoring efforts. The current mayor of Kota Kinabalu is Sabin Samitah, who assumed office on January 1, 2024.