Gabon: Magnitude-5.4 earthquake strikes near Lambarene, Moyen-Ogooue Province, March 10

Event

A magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurred near Lambarene, Moyen-Ogooue Province, at about 0007 WAT March 10. The epicenter was about 33 km (28 miles) Northwest of Fougamou. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and moderate-to-strong shaking probably occurred near the epicenter in Moyen-Ogooue, Province; light-to-moderate tremors likely occurred across the rest of western Gabon. Weak shaking may have occurred in parts of Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. 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 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.