Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake occurs east-southeast of Kokopo around 07:01 PGT Oct. 10

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean off Papua New Guinea at around 07:01 PGT Oct. 10. The epicenter was about 81 km (50 miles) east-southeast of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 52 km (32 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt throughout affected areas in East New Britain and New Ireland provinces. 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 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.