07 Dec 2023 | 05:13 PM UTC
PNG: Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurs north of Madang Province at around 01:10 Dec. 8
Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs in Bismarck Sea, near Papua New Guinea, at around 01:10 Dec. 8. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in the Bismarck Sea off the north coast of Madang Province at around 01:10 Dec. 8. The epicenter was about 109 km (68 miles) east-northeast of Angoram, East Sepik Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt in parts of East Sepik and Madang provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; 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 where shaking occurred.
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
