PNG: Magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurs in the Solomon Sea near Papua New Guinea at around 1834 Jan. 2

Event

A magnitude-5.2 offshore earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea east of New Britain, Papua New Guinea at approximately 1834 Jan. 2. The epicenter was about 187 km (116 miles) southeast of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 60 km (37 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout eastern New Britain, New Ireland, and western Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely in Kokopo and Buka. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event 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. 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.