Tsunami warning as 8.0 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea

SYDNEY // A major 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, and a tsunami warning was issued for nearby countries.

The tremor struck 40 kilometres west of Panguna in Papua New Guinea at a depth of 153 kilometres at 3.30pm, the USGS said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned hazardous waves could hit coastal areas of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Nauru, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and others within the next three hours.

“Even though it is quite deep at 150 kilometres, because it is such a large earthquake, it will produce shaking on the surface,” Geoscience Australia seismologist Spiro Spiliopoulos told AFP.

He added that some damage was possible.

A 7.9-magnitude quake struck off Papua New Guinea in mid-December, but no casualties were reported and an initial tsunami threat was later deemed to have passed.

Earthquakes are common near Papua New Guinea, which lies on the 4,000-kilometre-long Pacific Australia plate.

It forms part of the “Ring of Fire”, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

* Agence France-Presse