Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurs in Morobe Province at around 1319 PGT Jan. 23

Event

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurred in northeastern Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, at around 1319 PGT Jan. 23. The epicenter was approximately 79 km (49 miles) east-northeast of Lae. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 29 km (18 miles). Light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt across eastern parts of Eastern Highlands, southeastern Madang, Morobe, and western areas of Western New Britain provinces. 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. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.