PNG: Magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs off New Ireland Province at around 1232 PGT Dec. 27

Event

A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean off New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, at around 1232 PGT Dec. 27. The epicenter was about 105 km (65 miles) east-southeast of Kokopo. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 80 km (50 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt in eastern New Britain, northern Bougainville, and southern New Ireland islands. 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.

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 no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.