Segamat Quake Reactivated Fault Line Blamed For Tremor

---

 
Pic for illustration purposes onlyJOHOR BARU: The minor earthquake that shook Segamat yesterday was triggered by the reactivation of a fault line connected to the Mersing Fault system, according to the Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG).
The tremor, measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale, struck at 8.59am about 18km south of Segamat.
Preliminary seismological analysis revealed it was caused by a horizontal strike–slip movement, in which the earth's crust north of the fault shifted west while the southern block moved east.
"The shallow depth of about 10km confirms it originated from continental crust movement, rather than volcanic or deep subduction activity," JMG said in a statement.
Malaysia lies on the Sunda Plate, generally considered stable but subject to stress from the Sunda Subduction Zone off Sumatra.
JMG cautioned that this stress could reactivate dormant faults across Peninsular Malaysia, leading to small to moderate earthquakes.
Previous tremors have been recorded in Bukit Tinggi (Pahang), Kenyir (Terengganu), Kuala Pilah (Negri Sembilan), and Manjung–Temenggor (Perak). Johor itself experienced tremors in 2021 and 2023 linked to seismic activity off Sumatra.
"These incidents demonstrate that Peninsular Malaysia continues to store tectonic stress which may be released intermittently," JMG said, adding that sustained seismic monitoring, updated fault mapping and early-warning systems are vital to strengthen preparedness and protect infrastructure.
The department, in collaboration with Metrology Malaysia and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, said scientific monitoring would be further enhanced to safeguard vulnerable communities and ensure proactive measures against future risks. - NST

---