Indonesia: Magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurs in Papua Province at 10:16 March 12

Event

A magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurred in Indonesia's Papua Province at 10:16 March 12. The epicenter was about 95 km (59 miles) southwest of Wamena. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and moderate shaking may have taken place near the epicenter. Weak-to-light shaking probably occurred throughout parts of Papua Province, including in Timika. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. 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.