Solomon Islands: A magnitude-5.7 offshore earthquake occurs off the coast of Guadalcanal Island Nov. 26

Event

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurred off the southeast coast of Guadalcanal Island at around 00:46 Nov. 26. The epicenter was about 13 km (8 miles) south-southeast of Malango. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and moderate shaking was probably felt in southeastern parts of Guadalcanal, as well as light shaking across parts of the central Solomon Islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely. The quake was preceded by a magnitude-5.1 tremor at 00:24 and both were likely aftershocks from the magnitude-7.0 earthquake which struck in the same area at around 13:03 Nov. 22. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light-to-moderate 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, 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.