Indonesia: Magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurs off southern Sumatra Jan. 16

Event

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean off southern Sumatra, Indonesia, at around 1626 Jan. 6. The epicenter was about 186 km (116 miles) southwest of Bandar Lampung, Lampung Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles). Weak-to-light shaking was probably felt in southern parts of Sumatra and western parts of Java. 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. The earthquake has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Out of an abundance of caution, 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.