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).

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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.