Solomon Island: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs in Solomon Sea, west of Makira Islands, at around 17:38 SBT June 26

Event

A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea, west of Makira Island, Makira-Ulawa Province, at around 17:38 SBT June 26. The epicenter was around 163 km (101 miles) southeast of Honiara. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 37 km (23 miles). Weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout Guadalcanal, Makira-Ulawa, and Malaita 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 no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

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.