Sun Feb 22 17:56:13 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Malaysian Borneo

The Story:

A significant 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island early Monday, February 23, 2025. The epicenter was located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Kota Kinabalu at a depth of 619.8 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While tremors were felt in Sabah’s west coast and parts of Sarawak state, the USGS assessed the likelihood of casualties or damage as low. No tsunami alert was issued due to the earthquake’s considerable depth.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department, which measured the quake at 6.8 magnitude, stated it would closely monitor the situation. The event occurred at 12.57 a.m. (1657 GMT Sunday).

Key Points:

  • A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia on February 23, 2025.
  • The epicenter was located 100 kilometers northeast of Kota Kinabalu at a depth of 619.8 kilometers.
  • The USGS rated the likelihood of casualties or damage as low.
  • No tsunami alert was issued.
  • Tremors were felt in Sabah’s west coast and parts of Sarawak state.
  • The Malaysian Meteorological Department measured the quake at 6.8 magnitude and is monitoring the situation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Deep-sea earthquakes, while powerful, often pose a lower risk of casualties and tsunamis compared to shallower quakes.
  • Geological monitoring and early warning systems play a crucial role in assessing and mitigating the impact of earthquakes.
  • Discrepancies in magnitude measurements between different geological agencies are common and highlight the complexities of seismic data analysis.

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