Northern Mariana Islands: Magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs near Saipan at around 01:02 Aug. 12

Event

A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean near the Northern Mariana Islands at around 01:02 Aug. 12. The epicenter was about 177 km (100 miles) east-northeast of Saipan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout Saipan and nearby islands. 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. 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. Out of an abundance of caution, 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.