Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurs northeast of Madang Province at around 01:22 July 20

Event

A magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurred in the Bismark Sea near northeast Papua New Guinea at around 01:22 July 20. The epicenter was about 254 km (157 miles) north-northeast of Madang, Madang Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and moderate-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout nearby areas of Manus Province and Madang Province. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties due to the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible 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.