Micronesia: Magnitude-5.2 offshore earthquake occurs northeast of Yap around 02:36 Sept. 29 /update 1

Event

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Yap at around 02:26 Sept. 29. The epicenter was about 143 km (89 miles) northeast of Colonia in the Federated States of Micronesia. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was likely felt near the epicenter. 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. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days. Officials have not issued any tsunami advisories in response to the earthquake.

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.