AFTERSHOCKS IN MALAYSIAN SABAH IS ABNORMAL?

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, East Malaysia – According to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) geologist Dr Felix Tongkul, a series of aftershocks at regular intervals since the 5.9 magnitude Mount Kinabalu earthquake looks "abnormal".

He said the aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 2 to 5.1 following the June 5 earthquake might indicate an activation of dormant fault lines in the area of the mountain that forms part of the Crocker Range.

This is likely related to the relatively young age of the mountain, said Tongkul.

He said Mount Kinabalu was seven million years old while other mountains were between 30 and 50 mil years.

Under normal scenarios, an earthquake would be followed by aftershocks of smaller intensities that eventually taper off. However, Tongkul said, there is  a mountain that is quite unpredictable.

Tongkul, added that the regular aftershocks were not an indication of another major earthquake.

The stored energy has been released. It takes time for such energy to accumulate again, he said.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department recorded a magnitude 4 "weak earthquake" about 11km northwest of Ranau at 5.58am on Thursday.

It was the latest aftershock that was felt by people in Ranau and parts of the west coast including Kota Kinabalu.

Source: Agency