A rare series of earthquakes has shaken Malaysia’s Johor capturing the attention of residents across the nation and concern from neighbours in Singapore. In the week leading up to September 1, Johor province experienced multiple tremors, including a notable 4.1 magnitude earthquake near Segamat. While Malaysia is generally considered a low-risk country for earthquakes, this sudden cluster of seismic activity serves as a wake-up call for increased regional awareness and preparedness in the face of climate change. Additionally, theses earthquakes are the first recorded Johor quakes in over 100 years. Wondering if these earthquakes could affect the Lion City? we’ve weighed in on the likelihood of strong quakes impacting Singapore.
First Johor earthquakes in 103 years
There has been at least seven earthquakes this past week around Johor in Malaysia. The latest tremor was a 2.9 magnitude quake on August 31 near Batu Pahat. Previously, there were six other tremors mainly centered around the Segamat district, including a 4.1 magnitude earthquake on August 24, 2025, at 6.13am. Additionally, some quakes had aftershocks nearby within Johor.
Thankfully, none of these quakes caused fatalities. Although, some government buildings and houses in Johor showed minor structural damage such as cracks. Certainly, this raises awareness about the need for monitoring and preparing in the region.
Notably, experts believe these quakes and several subsequent tremors are a result of active local fault lines within Johor, particularly the Mersing Fault Zone. In fact, this seismic activity is driven by intraplate tectonic movement within the Malay Peninsula—which is different from the more active and destructive plate boundary earthquakes commonly see around the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Historical records show that Johor experienced notable earthquakes back in 1922—with magnitudes above 5.0—but no major events were recorded again until last week. This means that it has been 103 years since the last earthquake in Johor. Additionally, there was a recorded earthquake near southern Singapore in December 1948 but it did not have its epicentre in Johor.
Should Singapore be concerned about earthquakes?
The 2025 Malaysia earthquakes have not impacted Singapore so far. However, past experiences indicate that stronger earthquakes in Johor could potentially be felt in Singapore. Given the city-state’s close proximity to Johor, the risk of feeling tremors—although low—is not impossible.
Therefore, authorities and experts have called for enhanced seismic monitoring and better communication of earthquake risks to the region. Overall, Singaporeans should be aware of regional seismic risk even if the likelihood of a strong quake directly impacting Singapore remains low for now.
SEE MORE: Is Singapore At Risk Of Tsunamis Due To Nearby Underwater Volcanoes?