Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.8 earthquake occurs in Southern Highlands Province Dec. 17

Event

A magnitude-5.8 earthquake occurred in Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands Province at 0208 Dec. 17. The epicenter was about 60 km (37 miles) west-southwest of the provincial capital Mendi. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 31 km (19 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout parts of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Enga, and Hela. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties 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.

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.