Solomon Islands: Magnitude-5.5 offshore earthquake strikes near Solomon Islands, at 10:39 March 19

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea, at 10:39 March 19. The epicenter was about 210 km (130 miles) southwest of Gizo, Solomon Islands. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles) and likely produced moderate shaking near the epicenter. Light-to-weak shaking may have occurred throughout Western Province. 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. The temblor did not trigger a tsunami warning.

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.