Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.9 offshore earthquake occurs off New Ireland Province March 7

Event

A magnitude-5.9 offshore earthquake occurred off New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, at 23:51 March 7. The epicenter was about 75 km (47 miles) south-southwest of Kavieng. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 30 km (19 miles), and shaking was probably felt throughout New Ireland Province, New Britain Province, eastern parts of Manus Province, and northern parts of West New Britain Province. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. 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, 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.