As is often the case, the trembling began subtly. The earth moved far below the sea, far below where anyone could see it, and deeper than most people could even imagine, at around 12:57 in the morning, when most of Sabah was still asleep. It was sufficient, but not violent enough to knock people out of bed. Enough to make doors groan. Enough to cause hanging objects to wobble a little, as though something unseen were slipping through.
The numbers had come in by day. Magnitude: either 7.1 or 6.8, depending on the source. In any case, it was the most powerful earthquake to strike Sabah in over ten years. The epicentre was located more than 600 kilometers below the surface of the Earth, offshore, approximately 100 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu. Scientists explained that Sabah was likely spared from a worse fate because of that depth.
Everything appeared normal as we strolled through coastal neighborhoods later that morning. Almost suspiciously calm, too normal. Coffee shops were crowded with early customers, cars were moving through traffic, and no one appeared to be running. People’s voices were a little lower, though, and the same question kept coming up in conversations: Did you feel it?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Offshore Sabah Earthquake |
| Date | February 23, 2026 |
| Magnitude | 6.8 to 7.1 (depending on agency measurement) |
| Epicentre | About 100 km northeast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah |
| Depth | Approx. 620–630 km beneath Earth’s surface |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Tsunami Risk | None issued due to deep origin |
| Why it matters | Strongest earthquake recorded in Sabah region in about 11 years |
| Official References | US Geological Survey Earthquake Tracking • Malaysian Meteorological Department |
Perhaps a large number of people didn’t. The behavior of deep earthquakes is different. Like a message that has lost some of its urgency along the way, they frequently arrive softened despite traveling great distances. However, some locals picked up on subtle clues. A cabinet door is moving. There was a slight tremor in the floor. The sort of feeling that causes you to pause and question whether it was genuine.
Sabah has never been comfortable with earthquakes. The Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast geological border where tectonic plates grind, press, and sometimes shatter, is close to the state. Usually, nothing noteworthy occurs. However, the earth serves as a reminder of its existence every few years.
The recollection of 2015 is still present. 18 people, including teachers and students, were killed in that earthquake, which was smaller than this one and occurred close to Mount Kinabalu. It altered Sabah’s perspective on earthquakes. Many people believed the area was generally safe prior to that. Later, that presumption seemed flimsy.
At least not immediately, this most recent earthquake did not cause any damage. Authorities reported no fires, no buildings collapsing, and no casualties. However, the psychological impact persists even in the absence of destruction. What could have happened, rather than what actually occurred, can occasionally be the most unsettling aspect.
Earthquakes have a peculiar emotional math. A deep offshore earthquake is like a gentle warning. It indicates that forces are constantly at work beneath your feet and that the system is functioning. It serves as a reminder that stability is not always permanent.
According to scientists, the gradual deformation of tectonic plates beneath Borneo is what caused this earthquake. That explanation seems soothing, almost innocuous. However, there is a great deal of reality behind those words. Continent-sized plates pressing against one another store energy for decades before releasing it in a matter of seconds.
Whether this incident alters the immediate risk in the area is still unknown. By releasing stored pressure, some earthquakes lessen the likelihood of larger ones occurring nearby. Others take the opposite approach, redistributing stress in ways that are unpredictable. In actuality, geology rarely provides assurances.
The speed at which everyday life regains focus is fascinating. Social media had moved on by noon. People went back to their regular concerns, errands, and jobs. Earthquakes rarely pose a serious threat to daily life.
Still, something remains.
People seem to be paying closer attention these days. listening to building creaks. hearing the soft rumble of trucks going by. listening for clues that could indicate something but are most likely meaning nothing.
