More tremors expected
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans have been told to get used to more tremors and aftershocks that continue to hit the state since the deadly earthquake in Ranau on June 5.
“Expect more tremors for now and get used to them,” said geologist Professor Dr Felix Tongkul.
According to Tongkul, more tremors were expected as the mountain continued to stabilise.
“The mountain is causing slips in nearby fault lines that is triggering the tremors.
“It is also likely that the mountain had reactivated dormant fault lines,” he said.
About four aftershocks were reported on Tuesday.
The first tremor came at 10.54am and was measured at 2.6, while the second and worst tremor came at 5.33pm and could be felt not only in Kundasang, Ranau and Kota Belud but also in Kota Kinabalu.
These were then followed by two more tremors with magnitudes of 2.6 and 3.0 at 6.26pm and 6.39pm respectively.
It is reported that the number of tremors since the 5.9-magnitude earthquake on June 5 has reached 90.
Tongkul said the epicentre for the last major earthquake that hit Ranau in 1991 was far from Mount Kinabalu and the aftershocks tapered off within a few days.
However, the recent quake hit the mountain and complicated the stabilisation process, he said.
Meanwhile, the Ranau Fire and Rescue Station has advised the people of the district to keep their important documents in a safe place in view of the many aftershocks experienced there in the wake of the June 5 earthquake.
"Personal documents are necessary to lodge reports and make claims in the event of untoward incidents," said the head of the station, Jimmy Lagung.
He also advised the people in the district to be prepared to face the possibility of more aftershocks.
The authorities are unable to forecast when these aftershocks would occur, he said.
Jimmy said the 27 officers and personnel at the Ranau fire and rescue station were ready to act upon the reports of the people on any emergency situation or damage as a result of the aftershocks.