Indonesia: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs in North Sumatra Province March 5

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in North Sumatra Province at around 20:33 March 5. The epicenter was about 9 km (6 miles) east of Parapat. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 155 km (96 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout much of North Sumatra Province, as well as southern parts of Aceh Province, and northern parts of West Sumatra and Riau provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely given the depth of focus of the temblor. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light 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.