Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Sabah, Malaysia; No Tsunami Threat for North Kalimantan

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck north of Sabah, Malaysia, in the early hours of Monday morning. The quake posed no tsunami threat to the North Kalimantan (Kaltara) region.

As reported by Antara, the earthquake occurred at 01:57:46 Central Indonesian Time (WITA) north of Sabah, Malaysia. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that its analysis indicated the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1.

The epicentre was located at coordinates 6.94° N, 116.26° E, or precisely in the sea approximately 109 kilometres northeast of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, at a depth of around 628 kilometres.

Based on the epicentre location and hypocentre depth, the earthquake was classified as a deep earthquake caused by deformation activity within the Philippine Sea Plate. The quake exhibited an oblique thrust-fault mechanism.

According to analysis of ground acceleration measurements and shake map modelling, the earthquake produced tremors in the Nunukan area with a Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale of III, meaning vibrations were distinctly felt indoors, similar to the sensation of a lorry passing by.

Meanwhile, the Tarakan area registered an MMI intensity of II, where tremors were felt by a few people and light suspended objects were observed swaying.

Modelling results confirmed that the earthquake posed no tsunami risk.