A powerful earthquake triggered a small tsunami near Papua New Guinea (Photo Credit: NOAA)
An earthquake struck Papua New Guinea Sunday evening, triggering a tsunami warming as it measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake was detected just before midnight local time in the New Ireland region of Papua New Guinea. The magnitude initially registered at 7.6 and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning saying that waves were possible for coasts located within 1,000 kilometres of the earthquake epicentre. The coasts of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands were quickly put on alert.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, waves were forecast between one and three metres in size, with Papua New Guinea expected to be the hardest hit. The threat was downgraded several hours later, and a small tsunami was reported. The half metre tsunami was measured in the harbour of Rabaul, a town near the epicentre. There have been no reports of major damage or injuries.
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