Papua New Guinea: A magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurs in Solomon Sea at around 05:21 Sept. 29

Event

A magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea near eastern Papua New Guinea at around 05:21 Sept. 29. The epicenter was approximately 114 km (71 miles) south-southeast of Kokopo. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 49 km (30 miles), and shaking was probably felt in parts of Bougainville, East New Britain, Lihir Island, and some surrounding regions. 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.