Indonesia: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs in Andaman Sea, northwest of Aceh, Indonesia, at around 12:49 WIB May 18

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in the Andaman Sea, northwest of Aceh Province, Indonesia, at around 12:49 WIB May 18. The epicenter was about 146 km (91 miles) north-northwest of Banda Aceh, Aceh Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles). Weak-to-light shaking was likely felt in northern parts of Aceh Province, including Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, and Aceh Jaya regencies, along with southern parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. 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, particularly in remote areas. Light 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.