KOTA KINABALU — A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck deep beneath the Celebes Sea off the coast of Malaysia’s Sabah state early Sunday morning. The seismic event, recorded at 12:57 a.m. local time on February 22, 2026, sent tremors across the northern reaches of Borneo, though its extreme depth likely spared the region from significant surface destruction.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake originated at a depth of 619.8 kilometers (385 miles). Its epicenter was located less than 100 kilometers northeast of the coastal capital, Kota Kinabalu, placing the tectonic activity squarely within the complex subduction zones of Southeast Asia.
Depth as a Shield: Why the Impact was Muted
While a 7.1 magnitude quake is classified as “major” and capable of causing catastrophic damage, the depth of this particular event acted as a natural buffer. Seismologists categorize quakes deeper than 300 kilometers as “deep-focus” events.
- Energy Dissipation: As seismic waves travel from such extreme depths to the surface, much of their destructive energy is absorbed by the Earth’s mantle.
- Tsunami Risk: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed shortly after the tremor that no tsunami threat existed, as the deep-seated displacement of the earth did not significantly disturb the ocean floor.
Regional Response and Observations
Despite the depth, the tremor was felt by residents in high-rise buildings across Kota Kinabalu and parts of the neighboring Philippines. Witnesses reported a “slow, swaying motion” rather than the sharp jolts associated with shallow earthquakes.
- Sabah Emergency Services: Local authorities in Sabah conducted rapid assessments of critical infrastructure, including the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and regional power grids. No immediate reports of casualties or structural failures have been issued.
- Cross-Border Reach: Tremors were also noted in Zamboanga and parts of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines, where seismic activity is frequent due to the convergence of multiple tectonic plates.
A Volatile Tectonic Corridor
The Celebes Sea and the Sulu Archipelago sit at the intersection of the Eurasian, Philippine, and Indo-Australian plates. This region is one of the most seismically active in the world, characterized by both shallow, destructive quakes and deep-focus events like Sunday’s.
The event follows a pattern of heightened activity across the “Pacific Ring of Fire” this month, following recent tremors in the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. While this latest quake resulted in little surface damage, it serves as a stark reminder of the immense subterranean forces at play beneath the Malaysian coastline.
Seismic Data Summary (Feb 22, 2026)
| Metric | Detail |
| Magnitude | 7.1 Richter Scale |
| Epicenter | ~100 km NE of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia |
| Depth | 619.8 km |
| Tsunami Threat | None |
