THE recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and caused building collapses in Bangkok has served as a timely reminder for Malaysia to assess the potential impact of distant quakes on its own structures and infrastructure, especially in the capital.
Although Malaysia is not located on the boundary of tectonic plates, the Peninsula’s proximity to the Sumatran Fault Zone and the Sunda subduction zone puts it at risk of experiencing seismic tremors from afar.
Geological risks and soil conditions in Kuala Lumpur
Peninsular Malaysia may not experience major earthquakes directly, but it can still feel their effects from two main sources: the Sumatran Fault Zone, located around 300 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur and the Sunda subduction zone, situated approximately 600 kilometres away.
Large earthquakes such as the 2004 Aceh quake (M9.1), the 2005 Nias quake (M8.6), and the 2012 Indian Ocean quake (M8.6) have previously been felt in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, albeit with minimal impact.
However, with the increasing number of high-rise buildings and critical infrastructure in Malaysia, the effects of future earthquakes could be more severe.
The type of soil in Kuala Lumpur may also influence the impact of seismic tremors. Areas with soft soil and reclaimed land, which may be found in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya, can amplify seismic waves—similar to what occurs in Bangkok.
In addition, there is a possibility that sedimentary layers in Kuala Lumpur could lead to prolonged shaking, posing an added risk to high-rise buildings over 20 storeys.
Resonance events may also occur when the frequency of an earthquake matches the natural frequency of a building, resulting in stronger swaying.
Enhancing the safety of high-rise buildings
A large number of high-rise buildings in Kuala Lumpur are designed primarily to withstand wind loads rather than earthquake loads.
This makes these buildings more vulnerable to the effects of distant earthquakes, which can cause excessive swaying, cracking, or structural damage in the event of resonance.
In addition, many modern buildings use glass facades that are prone to shattering when exposed to prolonged vibrations.
Some possible solutions include:
- Seismic retrofitting of older buildings that were not designed to withstand earthquakes.
- The use of seismic base isolation technology and energy dampers to absorb earthquake energy.
- Adopting modern seismic design codes such as MS EN 1998-1:2015 (Eurocode 8) for new buildings.
Improving the resilience of bridges and transport infrastructure
Bridges and elevated highways such as the LRT or MRT systems in Kuala Lumpur, the Penang Bridge, and the Second Link to Johor may face flexibility issues during prolonged ground shaking.
Similarly, older flyovers and pedestrian bridges may not have been designed to withstand seismic loads.
Some of the measures that can be taken include:
- Seismic retrofitting of bridges and elevated routes, particularly in high-risk areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor.
- Using seismic bearings and flexible joints to absorb ground vibrations.
- Strengthening the columns and abutments of older bridges using modern seismic codes.
Risk assessment of soil and seismic activity in Kuala Lumpur
To better understand the impact of distant earthquakes, Malaysia needs to conduct microzonation studies in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Putrajaya. These studies aim to identify areas with soft soil that can amplify seismic tremors.
In addition, technologies such as Finite Element simulations can be used to assess the seismic response of high-rise buildings and critical infrastructure. Stricter land use planning is also necessary to ensure that development takes place in safe areas.
Earthquake preparedness strategies in Malaysia
To ensure long-term safety, Malaysia needs to take several important steps:
- Building Code Updates – Review the Malaysian National Annex to Eurocode 8 and establish stricter seismic design requirements for critical infrastructure.
- Public Awareness – Provide education to engineers, architects, and urban planners about seismic risks in Malaysia.
- Early Warning Systems – Strengthen real-time earthquake monitoring and warning systems, such as the MyShake App and the Malaysian Meteorological Department's system.
- Disaster Preparedness – Implement earthquake drills and contingency planning for Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Putrajaya, and Johor Bahru, focusing on rapid response and emergency evacuation procedures.
- The recent earthquake events in Myanmar and their impact on Bangkok demonstrate the need to consider distant earthquakes in the design of buildings and infrastructure in Malaysia.
- Given Malaysia's proximity to the active fault zone in Sumatra, cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Putrajaya, and Johor Bahru must adopt more robust seismic design codes, conduct more thorough soil studies, and implement mitigation measures to reduce disaster risks.
- Proactive planning will ensure the safety of the nation's infrastructure from future earthquake threats.
*Prof Ir Dr Azlan Adnan is the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Research, Seismology and Earthquake Engineering Research Group (eSEER) Head. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.