03 Oct 2023 | 02:33 AM UTC
Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurs east of East New Britain Province at around 11:56 Oct. 3
Magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurs near East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, at 11:56 Oct. 3. No initial reports of damage, casualties.
Event
A magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurred east of East New Britain Province at around 11:56 Oct. 3. The epicenter was about 132 km (82 miles) east of Kokopo. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 96 km (60 miles), and light shaking was probably felt in New Ireland, East New Britain, and western Bougainville provinces. There are no initial reports of damage or casualties; 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, 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.
