27 Apr 2022 | 11:46 PM UTC
New Caledonia: Magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs north of Loyalty Islands at around 10:09 NCT April 28
Magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs north of New Caledonia at around 10:09 NCT April 28. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurred to the north of New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands at around 10:09 NCT April 28. The epicenter was about 182 km (113 miles) north of We, New Caledonia. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking may have been felt in parts of New Caledonia and Vanuatu. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; 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. 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 where shaking occurred.
Advice
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
