Post date: Nov 6, 2016 2:50:34 PM
For the past few days, folks of Sabah, mainly from Kudat is a panic mode when the viral video (as attached) was circulated around. Dr. Mohd. Rosaidi Che Abas who is the Assistant Director of the Meteorological Department quoted that there will is a possibility of a 50m mega tsunami may hit Kudat in event of Submarine Mass Failure or SMF occurred at the West of the Philippines. Somehow, the viral news cause misunderstanding and caused panic among the Sabahans.
The viral video (no subtitle or translation is available in English)
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Meteorological Department of Malaysia for taking up appropriate steps and measures by educating the people with drills and procedures. This is a life-saving exercise which have been conducted with the locals. Miscellaneous workshop have been conducted (especially Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain in 2011) and I deem this as timely and appropriate.
Sadly, it was wrongly interpreted by many who are not well-versed with tsunami and seismic activity. Another thing which leads to such panic mode is the way the statement was conveyed out during the interview, making it looks like the event is at the verge to happened.
The following paragraphs explained why this interview is essential in handing out information and allow readiness and how this event is unpredictable. This discussion will allow some other information which are available but not known to public. Before one makes any assumption, it is good to revisit some of the similar possible seismic outburst in the other part of the world, where some have been fictionalized and dramatized into Hollywood movies.
The threats of possible tsunami are real however this threat is not limited to just the coastline of Sabah or Kudat alone but other locations surrounding this large island. Studies conducted on SMF and in this case, the Brunei Slide is not something which is new. Various researches has been conducted and the following four journals shall be the basis to this discussion. Aside from that, Geology of North-West Borneo: Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah by Charles S Hutchison (2005) will be ultimate guide when discussing the regional geology.