A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Sunday, the United States Institute for Geological Studies (USGS) said.
The epicenter of the earthquake, which struck the New Britain region at 12:05 p.m. Sunday (02:05 GMT), lay at a depth of 19 kilometers off the country’s eastern coast, according to the USGS.
Local authorities have not reported any casualties or material damage at this stage, and no tsunami warning has been issued.
Papua New Guinea sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” which is a hot spot for seismic activity due to the friction between the tectonic plates.
In July 2020, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake brought terror to the capital Port Moresby, but no major damage was reported.
And in February 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the country’s rugged highland region, triggering landslides, burying homes and killing at least 125 people.
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