KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) can issue earthquake warnings in eight minutes as it operates a network of 80 seismic sensors (stations) nationwide to detect any earthquake activity in the country and region, says its director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip.
At the same time, countries around the world are also sharing data from their sensors for mutual information, he said.
“MetMalaysia also operates 83 tsunami sirens located in areas vulnerable to tsunamis all across the country.
“The Malaysian Tsunami Early Warning System is capable of delivering earthquake information to the public within eight minutes after it is detected by the sensors,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
The early warning system plays a role in detecting earthquakes occurring in the region and subsequently disseminating information about temblors, including advice or warnings, if they have the potential to generate tsunamis.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on midday Friday with an epicentre not far from Mandalay, followed by several aftershocks including one measuring a strong 6.4 magnitude.
