Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurs near New Britain island at around 09:02 July 20

Event

A magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurred near New Britain island in northeastern Papua New Guinea at around 09:02 July 20. The epicenter was about 77 km (48 miles) south of the town of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 31 km (19 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout nearby areas of East New Britain Province and New Ireland 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.