6.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off Eastern Papua New Guinea

According to the United States Geological Survey and Europe Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck eastern Papua New Guinea’s Bougainville region on Sunday. Around 200 km off the southern coast of New Britain island, the quake struck at a depth of 19 kilometres (12 miles) at 0205 GMT in the Solomon Sea. The earthquake caused no damage or tsunami warnings immediately.

A hotspot for seismic activity due to tectonic plate friction, Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The capital Port Moresby was shook by a 6.9-magnitude quake in July 2020, but there were no reports of major damage. At least 125 people were killed after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s highlands region in February 2018, triggering landslides and burying homes.