17 Mar 2024 | 11:44 AM UTC
PNG: Magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurs north of West New Britain Province March 17
Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs in Bismarck Sea, near Papua New Guinea, at 22:10 March 17. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
A magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurred in the Bismarck Sea north of West New Britain Province at around 22:10 March 17. The epicenter was about 209 km (130 miles) southeast of Lorengau, Manus Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt in parts of West New Britain and New Ireland provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and 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.
