Major Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Recorded Near Kota Belud, Malaysia

What Happened

A major magnitude 7.1 (mww) earthquake occurred on February 16, 2026, at 16:57:46 UTC. The seismic event was recorded at a significant depth of 619.8 kilometers below the surface, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located 55 km NNW of Kota Belud, Malaysia, at coordinates 6.8285°N and 116.2637°E. With a depth of 619.8 km, this event is classified as a deep earthquake. Deep-focus earthquakes occur at depths greater than 70 km and are generally felt over a wider geographic area but typically cause significantly less surface damage than shallow events of the same magnitude.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS, there is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect (tsunami: 0). No specific alert level color has been assigned to this event, and there are currently no felt reports recorded in the system. Due to the extreme depth of the rupture, the immediate impact on populated areas is expected to be minimal.

What You Should Know

This was a major earthquake (M 7.0+). While earthquakes of this magnitude are capable of causing significant damage, the depth of over 600 km typically buffers the surface from the most intense shaking. Residents in the region should remain aware of seismic safety protocols, although deep-focus earthquakes often result in fewer felt aftershocks than shallow ones.

Source

Data and attribution provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.