22 Jun 2022 | 02:24 AM UTC
Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs off of New Ireland Province at 11:53 June 22
Magnitude-5.4 earthquake strikes off of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, at 11:53 June 22. No immediate reports of damage, injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake struck in the Solomon Sea, off of New Ireland Province, at around 11:53 June 22. The epicenter was about 177 km (110 miles) east-southeast of Kokopo, East New Britain Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 69 km (42 miles), and light shaking may have been felt in eastern New Britain, southern New Ireland, and Bougainville islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties due to the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event did not prompt 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, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
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.
