Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs in East New Britain Province March 14

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in East New Britain Province, at around 12:07 March 14. The epicenter was about 132 km (82 miles) east of Kimbe, West New Britain Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 84 km (52 miles), and light shaking probably occurred throughout East New Britain and West New Britain provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties due to the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities 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 they do not find any damage. 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.