11 May 2022 | 11:10 PM UTC
Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs near Bougainville Island at around 09:24 BST May 12
Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs off of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, at 09:24 BST May 12. No immediate reports of damage, injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred near Bougainville Island at around 09:24 BST May 12. The epicenter was about 76 km (47 miles) south-southwest of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking may have been felt in parts of Bougainville Island and the Solomon Islands. 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.
