Ecuador: A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurs near Esmeraldas Province at around 04:46 Dec. 17

Event

A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurred near Esmeraldas Province at around 04:46 Dec. 17. The epicenter was about 43 km (27 miles) northwest of Valdez. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 18 km (11 miles), and moderate shaking was probably felt in western Esmeraldas Province. Light shaking likely occurred across northern Ecuador and parts of southwestern Colombia. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible 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.