Papua New Guinea: Magnitude-5.2 earthquake strikes in the Solomon Sea, off the west coast of Bougainville Island, at 1157 March 17

Event

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea, west of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, at around 1157 March 17. The epicenter was about 67 km (41miles) west of Panguna, Papua New Guinea. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 59 km (36miles) and likely produced moderate-to-light shaking on Bougainville Island, especially in western areas. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties due to the earthquake; however, it could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments. Aftershocks are possible. The incident 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 in coastal areas 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.