Indonesia: Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake strikes near Sumatra at around 0457 Feb. 15

Event

A magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurred near Sumatra, Indonesia, at around 1157 Feb. 15. The epicenter was around 67 km (42 miles) southwest of Padang Sidempuan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 69 km (43 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt through northern and western parts of Sumatra. 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. Light aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The incident 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.