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18 Dec 2020 | 11:13 AM UTC

Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.2 earthquake strikes in Morobe Province, Dec. 18

Magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurs in Morobe Province, central Papua New Guinea, at 2016 Dec. 18. No immediate reports of damage.

Warning

Event

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurred in central Papua New Guinea, at around 2016 Dec. 18. The epicenter was in northeastern Morobe Province, approximately 67 km (42 miles) northeast of Lae. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 47 km (29 miles). Weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout Morobe Province, eastern sections of Eastern Highlands Province, southeastern areas of Madang Province, and western parts of Western New Britain Province. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if officials find no damage. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter and coastal areas of affected provinces. Landslides are possible in mountain areas and could block roads, exacerbating ground transport disruptions.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions.