6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Papua New Guinea Coast; Triggers Tsunami Warning

On the morning of April 5 (local time), an earthquake of 6.9 magnitude shook Papua New Guinea. As per the US Geological Survey, a brief tsunami warning was also issued but was later cancelled. The quake was shallow and was centred offshore, 194 km east of the town of Kimbe, on the island of New Britain.

6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Papua New Guinea

A strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook Papua New Guinea on Saturday morning. The shallow quake struck the Pacific island nation at a depth of 10 kilometres and was centred offshore. A tsunami warning was issued immediately after jolts warned waves of 1-3 metres along some parts of the Papua New Guinea coastline.

However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later called off the alert. Another caution, about smaller waves of 0.3 metres issued, for the nearby Solomon Islands was also called off. Papua New Guinea’s closest neighbour, Australia, issued no tsunami warnings. According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, there was no tsunami threat to the country. No warning was issued for New Zealand, the other closest neighbour to the island, either.

Also Read: Devastating Earthquake In Myanmar Claims Over 1,000 Lives, Rescue Efforts Underway

No Major Damage Or Threat

Despite the strong magnitude earthquake, there were no immediate reports of damage in Papua New Guinea. Around 500,000 people live on this island of New Britain and no damage, serious injury, or casualty has been reported so far. The quake brings to light the region’s geological vulnerability and the importance of early warning systems.

Papua New Guinea sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. It is the arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquake and volcanic activity occurs. This arc is about 40,000 kilometres long.

Also Read: If There Is A Mega Earthquake In This Region Over 100,000 Buildings Will Collapse; Claim Scientists

We hope that everyone in Papua New Guinea is safe and no damages are reported later as well.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)