General : MET Malaysia On 24-hour Quake Watch In Sabah Via 28 Seismic Stations

Kota Kinabalu, Sept 27 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) maintains a 24-hour monitoring system for earthquakes in Sabah, utilizing 28 seismic stations across the state. MET Malaysia's director-general, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, explained that the monitoring system allows for quick detection and analysis of seismic events.

He listed the seismic stations closest to the epicenter, including Sapulut (57.23 km), Keningau (66.51 km), Sandakan/Telupid (74.36 km), Matupang (76.67 km), and Tenom (93.32 km). The department disseminates earthquake information within six minutes of detection, provided the data is available. Dr Hisham emphasized that predicting the time, location, or magnitude of earthquakes remains beyond current technological capabilities.

The 28 seismic stations are primarily focused on detecting earthquake magnitudes post-occurrence. In addition to earthquake monitoring, MET Malaysia also assesses potential tsunami threats based on earthquake magnitude and related monitoring data, issuing warnings if necessary. Dr Hisham highlighted that installing extra seismic stations or sensors in specific areas enhances local monitoring but does not enable early prediction of earthquakes.

The department remains committed to providing rapid, accurate, and verified information to the public and relevant authorities. He advised the public to seek earthquake and tsunami information exclusively from MET Malaysia's official channels via Bernama.