23 Jan 2024 | 04:47 AM UTC
Indonesia: Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurs in Arafura Sea off West Papua Province at around 13:07 Jan. 23
Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurs off West Papua Province, Indonesia, at 13:07 Jan. 23. No initial reports of damage or injuries.
A magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurred in the Arafura Sea off West Papua Province at around 13:07 Jan. 23. The epicenter was about 214 km (133 miles) south of Teluk Bintuni. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt across parts of southern West Papua, western Papua, and northern Maluku 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 possible 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.
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
