Tsunami warning issued after 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake’s epicenter was located about 194 kilometers (121 miles) southeast of Kimbe, a town in the West New Britain province. It struck at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles).

A tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Media cited US Tsunami Warning Center stating that there is a threat of a tsunami and has forecast waves of one to three metres.

Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.

While such quakes rarely cause widespread damage in the region’s sparsely populated areas, they can trigger destructive landslides.