KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) is continuously monitoring earthquake activity in Sabah through its 28 seismic stations nationwide.
This 24-hour monitoring follows a 3.3-magnitude earthquake that hit Kuamut in Kinabatangan at 5.32am on Saturday (Sept 26), it said in a statement.
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said on Sunday (Sept 27) that among the seismic stations close to the epicentre are Sapulut (57.23km), Keningau (66.51km), Sandakan/Telupid (74.36km), Matupang (76.67km) and Tenom (93.32km).
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He said MetMalaysia can quickly analyse and detect earthquakes and disseminate information within six minutes of detection, depending on data availability.
"So far, no technology can predict quakes," he stressed, explaining that an earthquake cannot be predicted in terms of timeline, location and magnitude before it happens.
Hisham said seismic stations detect and determine an earthquake's scale after it occurs, while tsunami threats are assessed based on magnitude and relevant observation data.
He said warnings will be sent out if there are any tsunami threats following an earthquake.
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"Installation of additional stations or seismic sensors at a location can strengthen the coverage and monitoring of local observations, but it does not mean that quakes can be predicted," he added.
He said MetMalaysia would continue to monitor seismic activities in Sabah and provide quick, accurate and credible information to the public and related agencies.
He urged the public to obtain information about such occurrences only through MetMalaysia's official channels.
After Saturday's earthquake, the second in the area in just over two months, Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah urged MetMalaysia to expedite the installation of seismic sensors in vulnerable areas.
