Indonesia: A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurs in northern Papua Province at around 13:58 WIT Dec. 8

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in northern Papua Province, Indonesia, at around 13:58 WIT Dec. 8. The epicenter was about 174 km (108 miles) west of Abepura. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 37 km (23 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout parts of Papua and northern Highland Papua provinces in Indonesia as well as far northwestern Sanduan Province in Papua New Guinea. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. 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.