M7.1 Earthquake near Kota Belud, Malaysia — 22 February 2026
A major earthquake of magnitude 7.1 was recorded near Kota Belud, Malaysia on , with an epicentre 55 km north-northwest of Kota Belud, at a focal depth of 619.8 km.
Time (UTC): 2026-02-22 16:57:46
Time (your timezone): —
Magnitude: 7.1 (major)
Focal depth: 619.8 km (deep)
Epicentre: 6.8285, 116.2640
Location: 55 km NNW of Kota Belud, Malaysia
USGS link to NOAA tsunami information: Available
Review status: Reviewed
Source: USGS event page
How strong was this earthquake?
Major earthquakes cause serious damage across wide regions and are capable of destroying buildings that were not designed for seismic loading. Events at this size frequently trigger long aftershock sequences lasting months.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake radiates roughly 673,610 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
The USGS assigns this earthquake a significance score of 783, which meets the USGS threshold of more than 600 for its significant-earthquake list. The ranking combines magnitude with available Did You Feel It responses and PAGER alert level; it is not a direct measurement of damage.
Where was the epicentre?
The epicentre was located at 6.8285, 116.2640 — 55 km north-northwest of Kota Belud.
Why the 620 km depth matters
At 620 km this was a deep-focus earthquake, occurring well inside the subducting slab rather than in the crust. Deep events are rarely damaging even at large magnitudes, though they can be felt over very long distances.
This catalogue does not ingest eyewitness responses, so it cannot confirm where this earthquake was felt. Based on magnitude alone, an event this size can produce strong, widely felt shaking. Its deep focus normally weakens surface shaking while spreading perceptible motion over a broad area.
What does the tsunami information flag mean?
The USGS event record links to NOAA tsunami information because this was a large event in an oceanic region. That link flag does not mean a tsunami occurred or that a warning is active. Check tsunami.gov and instructions from your local authority for the current status of your coastline.
How earthquakes generate tsunamis, and what the alert levels mean →
Aftershocks and local seismic history
No further earthquakes have been recorded within about 150 km of the epicentre in the seven days after this event.
How long aftershock sequences last, and how large they get →
Where this event sits in the record
This earthquake is part of the February 2026 worldwide record. Browse the full monthly archive to compare periods.
Other magnitude 7 earthquakes worldwide
- M7.1 earthquake near Uki, Japan —
- M7.1 earthquake near Uki, Japan —
- M6.8 earthquake near Uto, Japan —
- M7.3 earthquake near Puerto Madero, Mexico —
- M6.9 earthquake near Kuji, Japan —
- M7.2 earthquake near San Felipe, Venezuela —
- M6.9 earthquake near Calama, Chile —
- M7.2 earthquake near Luganville, Vanuatu —
Questions about this earthquake
How strong is a magnitude 7.1 earthquake?
Major earthquakes cause serious damage across wide regions and are capable of destroying buildings that were not designed for seismic loading. Events at this size frequently trigger long aftershock sequences lasting months. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake radiates roughly 673,610 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
How deep was the earthquake near Kota Belud?
At 620 km this was a deep-focus earthquake, occurring well inside the subducting slab rather than in the crust. Deep events are rarely damaging even at large magnitudes, though they can be felt over very long distances.
Was the M7.1 earthquake near Kota Belud felt?
This catalogue does not ingest eyewitness responses, so it cannot confirm where this earthquake was felt. Based on magnitude alone, an event this size can produce strong, widely felt shaking. Its deep focus normally weakens surface shaking while spreading perceptible motion over a broad area.
What does the USGS tsunami field mean for this event?
The USGS event record links to NOAA tsunami information because this was a large event in an oceanic region. That link flag does not mean a tsunami occurred or that a warning is active. Check tsunami.gov and instructions from your local authority for the current status of your coastline.
Have there been aftershocks?
No further earthquakes have been recorded within about 150 km of the epicentre in the seven days after this event.