Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes off Malaysia

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Malaysia early Monday local time, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake occurred near the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo. Its epicenter was located less than 100 kilometers northeast of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.

USGS data indicated that the earthquake originated at a depth of approximately 619.8 kilometers, categorizing it as a deep focus quake. Deep earthquakes often cause less surface damage than shallow quakes, though they can be felt across wide areas.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage following the tremor. Authorities are monitoring the situation for potential aftershocks and assessing any impact on infrastructure in eastern Malaysia.

Malaysia lies within a seismically active region influenced by tectonic movements along the Pacific Ring of Fire, though major high-magnitude earthquakes are less frequent than in neighboring countries.