Lessons to be learned from quake by Phyllis Wong, Peter Sibon
and Lian Cheng, [email protected]. Posted on June 9,
2015, TuesdayA proposal for an earthquake monitoring system to be
installed in Sabah in 2013 was not implementedYan explaining the
fault lines across SabahThe map of Sabah showing the numerous fault
lines. The red lines denote the active ones. Datuk Seri Panglima
Masidi Manjun
KOTA KINABALU: Lives could have been saved if a proposal by the
Sabah Minerals and Geoscience Department to install an earthquake
monitoring system was put in place in 2013.Sabah Minerals and
Geoscience Departments former director Alexander Yan told The
Borneo Post in an exclusive interview yesterday that had the
proposal been given the nod, lives could have been saved from the
5.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Mount Kinabalu on Friday and
claimed 18 lives. Yes, we could have prevented the loss of lives if
we have put in place the Global Positional System (GPS) that could
detect even slight movements of the earth in the affected area.He
disclosed that his proposal to the federal government, among
others, contained a request for RM7 million to install GPS
monuments along the fault lines in the vicinity of Mt Kinabalu.
However, my proposal was put on shelf, and the state department
concerned could not do much.On the promise made by Deputy Prime
Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday that the government
would build a Seismic Centre in Sabah to monitor earthquakes in the
state, Yan said it was a good move.We very much welcome such a
centre and certainly its high time for such centre to be
operational in the state. On why there was such a proposal in 2012,
Yan, a registered professional geologist and a council member of
the Institute of Geology Malaysia, said the last earthquake
measuring 5.2 magnitude occurred in 1991. Based on the 50-year
cycle of earthquake recurrence, he had predicted that the recent
earthquake could occur, so the state better be prepared.However, it
occurred within the 25-year-cycle, instead of the normal 50 years,
said Yan, who was recently appointed as a member of the Board of
Geologists Malaysia. Though Yan was not caught by surprise by
Fridays earthquake, he was surprised by its magnitude, which he
considered as a strong earthquake.Based on his departments studies
in 2006, there were a number of active fault lines in Sabah, of
which two distinctive ones Kedamaian and Lobou-Lobou faults lie
within Ranau District and criss-crossing Mt Kinabalu.Under his
proposal three years ago, Yan had proposed installing at least 10
GPS monuments around these two fault zones with holes drilled up to
between 100 to 200 metres deep until they reach the bedrocks. Based
on history and the 50-year cycle prediction, the next one would
probably happen in Lahad Datu. In July 1976, Lahad Datu experienced
a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, with damage mostly to buildings.To
realise Muhyiddins proposal, agencies such as the Department of
Minerals and Geosciences, Malaysian Mapping and Surveying
Department (Jupem) and Meteorological Department together with
local universities such as UiTM and UTM should get to work together
immediately, advised Yan.Meanwhile, in an earlier exclusive
interview, Minister of Environment, Culture and Tourism, Datuk Seri
Masidi Manjun said Sabahans had been used to minor tremors now and
then, but no one predicted an earthquake of such magnitude coming.
This is something no one can predict. There have been tremors in
the past but not of this magnitude. It is not reasonably foreseen,
if I may use the term. Masidi, however, agreed there was a lesson
to be learned from the whole incident. The world or the earth has
become so unpredictable that we have to be ready for any
eventuality. I think people need to be ready.Contrary to Yan, he
said no authorities within Sabah had any prior knowledge that an
earthquake of such magnitude might hit Sabah. People are looking at
what is happening in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia.
In fact, yesterday, I heard they were trying to connect those
happenings with ours. It is a good time for scientists to look
beyond our own shore. We cant depend only on mere happenings in the
past, said Masidi.To be better prepared for earthquakes, his
ministry was combing the country for qualified geologists, adding
that his ministry was more than happy to engage the expertise and
advice of geologists. Perspective needs to be corrected. We assume
we should not be solving it ourselves. After all, Sabah is part of
Malaysia. Things done there (in the Peninsular Malaysia) should be
done here too. I am not saying they have not done that so far, but
I say everybody needs to open their eyes to think on a national
level, not just state level, said Masidi. Read more:
http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/06/09/lessons-to-be-learned-from-quake/#ixzz3cWQS5P5vExperts
studying earth's movements near Mount KinabaluKOTA KINABALU Monday,
October 1, 2012
RESEARCHERS studying earth movements in areas close to Mount
Kinabalu said it will take another five years to know if the
movements are strong. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the study by the Survey and
Mapping Department of Malaysia was conducted between 2008 and 2010
at the Mensaban and Lobou-Lobou fault lines, using global
navigation satellite system technologies. He said the study showed
the occurrence of earth movements measuring between a few
millimeters and 4cm."A conclusive study on the cause of the earth
movements would require a further five-year observation and study
to identify whether they actually occurred due to the active fault
lines or were caused by surface movements," Ongkili said yesterday
during the opening of the RM3.58 million Ranau Meterological office
that is equipped to monitor earth movements."The strong motion
station is critical as earthquakes and landslides usually occur
along the active fault lines of Mensaban, Crocker, Tabin and
Lobou-Lobou, located in Ranau and Kundasang," he added."Earth
movements caused by the active fault lines could result in an
increase in frequency of medium-scale earthquakes while surface
movements could cause small-scale landslides. The comprehensive
study will let us determine the appropriate mitigation and control
measures to minimise earthquake impact on activities and the people
living in the Ranau and Kundasang areas," he said.Ongkili said the
office would help the public understand the impact of the weather
in their daily lives.The Star/ANN
Sabah Experiences No Less Than 80 Earthquakes Since 1897KUALA
LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Sabah, particularly in the north and
northeast of the state, has been experiencing no less than 80
earthquakes since 1897, with the latest occurring today.Minerals
and Geoscience Department director-general Datuk Yunus Abdul Razak
said the earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, with the
center located 16 kilometres from Ranau, was the strongest
earthquake recorded so far in Malaysia.The magnitude of the
previous earthquakes were between 3.6 and 5.8 on the Richter
scale."Based on the position of the epicentre plotted on the
seismotectonic map of Malaysia, today's quake was believed to be
triggered by the Lobou-Lobou Fault Line," he told Bernama.The
tremor was also felt in most places in Sabah, including Ranau,
Tambunan, Tuaran, Pedalaman, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud.
Asked on the possibility of such incidents to recur, Yunus said
earthquakes were unpredictable.
"However, based on tectonic activities and active fault lines in
Sabah, earthquakes could happen again in the future," he said.
For the peninsula, the possibility was still there but based on
geological factors, the situation was seen more stable and
secure.
He said following the tremor today, Sabah department of minerals
and geoscience would carry out works to evaluate and record the
effects.
Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geostrategist Prof Dr
Azmi Hassan concurred with Yunus that Ranau and Lahad Datu areas
had active fault lines.Head of Natural Resources and Environment
Cluster of the National Professors Council Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr
Ibrahim Komoo said Ranau was identified as an active earthquake
area and there had been about 10 earthquakes recorded in Sabah in
recent years."Most of the earthquakes were between three and five
on the Richter scale...today's tremor was the strongest ever
recorded. This is clear evidence that the area is an active
tectonic zone. It is also associated with an active earthquake zone
in Sulawesi."There will be more earthquakes in the future. The
development in the area near the epicentre and active fault lines
should take into account the impact of the earthquake," he
said.Sabah Meteorological Department director Abd. Malik Tussin
believed that no large-scale earthquake would occur in the near
future.-- BERNAMA
