More Earthquakes Expected For Sabah In Near Future: UMS

KOTA KINABALU: More weak earthquakes can be expected in Sabah in the near future following the two tremblors which rattled nerves here earlier this week.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) geologist Professor Dr Felix Tongkul said that tectonic stress (forces or conditions within the earth which cause the movement of the crust) in the state is simply being released, causing the minor quakes.

Two tremblors struck different parts of Sabah in less than 24 hours on Thursday evening and Friday morning, but both posed no tsunami threat.

The first occurred at Sapulut, Tawau at 6.13pm, 16 kilometres northeast of Sapulut and was measured at 3.0 on the Richter scale; while the second hit Kota Belud, 16km northwest of Ranau at 11.41am yesterday, and was 3.9 in magnitude.

“The two minor earthquakes struck far from each other, so they were not related.

“But more weak earthquakes are expected in the future.

“It is possible that stronger earthquakes will also occur in areas such as Ranau and Lahad Datu-Kunak.

“However, we have no means of knowing when this will happen,” said Felix when contacted.

The UMS expert had predicted such earthquakes following the deadly Ranau 6.0 magnitude tremblor on June 5, 2015.

He was also previously quoted as saying that the high frequency of minor earthquakes could be a positive sign, as it means that the regular release of seismic energy is reducing the chance of a massive earthquake occurring.

On the other hand, it could also signal the coming of a large earthquake, he said.

-NST

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/695745-more-earthquakes-expected-for-sabah-in-near-future-ums.html