KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s coastline remains stable following a strong offshore earthquake recorded at 12.57am on Monday (Feb 23), said senior coastal engineer Tan KJ.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department had earlier reported that the earthquake measured magnitude 6.8, with its epicentre about 49 kilometres west of Kudat at coordinates 7.0° North and 116.4° East, and a focal depth of 678 kilometres.
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Due to its exceptionally deep origin, the tremor was only weakly felt at the surface and carries no tsunami risk as it did not involve sudden vertical displacement of the seabed.
Prof Emeritus Dr Felix Tongkul of Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Natural Disaster Research Centre said the quake was part of the deep Wadati–Benioff seismic zone linked to the subduction of the Celebes Sea microplate beneath northern Borneo.
He noted that similar deep earthquakes recorded in 2019 and 2023 did not result in any coastal or marine impacts.
Tan said minor and temporary water agitation may occur in sheltered harbours or bays, but would be short-lived and pose no risk to ports, seawalls or other coastal infrastructure.
Authorities advised that routine monitoring is sufficient and that no further action is required as the deep offshore earthquake poses no threat to Sabah’s coast or coastal waters.
