17 Sep 2021 | 08:04 PM UTC
Solomon Islands: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs south of San Cristobal at around 05:44 SBT Sept. 18
Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs off Solomon Islands at around 05:44 SBT Sept. 18. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred near San Cristobal Island at 05:44 SBT Sept. 18. The epicenter was about 82 km (51 miles) south of Kirakira, Solomon Islands. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was likely felt throughout southern parts of 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. 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.
The early Sept. 18 earthquake followed a previous mangntude-5.0 earthquake that occurred in the same region at around 11:05 SBT Sept. 17. Further seismic activity is likely over the coming days.
Advice
Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity.
