A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Sabah state in Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, early Monday morning local time. Despite its strength, the earthquake's great depth prevented major damage or tsunami warnings, bringing relief to residents and local authorities.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake's epicenter was located at an exceptional depth of approximately 619.8 kilometers below the seabed, less than 100 kilometers northeast of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state. The USGS explained that this great depth was the primary reason for the dissipation of most of the seismic energy before it reached the surface, thus explaining the limited likelihood of casualties or widespread damage.
Geological context: Malaysia and the Ring of Fire
Malaysia, specifically the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, lies on the southeastern edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region is a vast arc of seismic and volcanic activity that stretches along the Pacific coastline, and it accounts for approximately 90% of the world's earthquakes. This activity is caused by the movement and collision of major tectonic plates, making the region constantly prone to earthquakes. Although Malaysia is not directly on a major fault line like its neighbors Indonesia and the Philippines, it is affected by regional seismic activity, necessitating a state of constant vigilance.
The importance of earthquake depth and its limited impact
The depth of an earthquake is a crucial factor in determining its destructive impact. Shallow earthquakes, even those of moderate magnitude, can cause immense damage because their energy is concentrated near the surface. A prime example is the 2015 Sabah earthquake, which measured 6.0 on the Richter scale and was centered at a depth of only 10 kilometers, resulting in loss of life and significant damage to infrastructure around Mount Kinabalu. In contrast, the current earthquake, while much stronger, was less destructive due to its greater depth, feeling only as a mild to moderate tremor without causing widespread panic or destruction.
Local response and absence of tsunami risk
The Malaysian Meteorological Department confirmed that it had detected the earthquake, initially estimating its magnitude at 6.8. It noted that tremors were felt along the west coast of Sabah state and in scattered areas of Sarawak state. The department added that it was continuing to monitor the situation closely but reassured the public that there was no tsunami threat. Similarly, the US Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami warning, a standard procedure in the case of deep earthquakes, which rarely cause significant displacement of the seabed to generate such destructive waves.
