Solomon Islands: Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurs southwest of Honiara at around 22:40 Aug. 12

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea southwest of Honiara at 22:40 Aug. 12. The epicenter was about 11 km (7 miles) southwest of Malango. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 22 km (13 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Santa Isabel islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely 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.