ABC News :
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake off Papua New Guinea has generated a small tsunami and caused minor damage to buildings in the town of Kokopo in East New Britain province.
There have been no reports of injuries or major damage to infrastructure.
The earthquake hit at 11:44am (AEST), with an epicentre 139 kilometres south of Kokopo and a depth of 40-50 kilometres.
A tsunami warning for “hazardous” waves was initially issued for islands within 300km of the epicentre, but “the tsunami threat has largely passed,” according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre’s (PTWC) latest advisory.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquake at magnitude-7.4 but the PNG Geophysical Observatory Office said it was a magnitude-7.2.
“[Tsunami] waves were observed in Rabaul from about 12:15(pm) for roughly an hour,” said Chris Maki, assistance director at the office.
“The sea receded first and then came back in and they saw several cycles of tsunami action in Rabaul harbour.” He said tsunami waves of less than 50 centimetres could have reached as far as the PNG mainland, about 450 kilometres away.
PNG’s prime minister Peter O’Neill was briefed by East New Britain governor Ereman Tobaining and said the Provincial Disaster Office was monitoring the situation.
“In our island regions people have to be particularly vigilant for the potential of tsunamis,” Mr O’Neill said.
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake off Papua New Guinea has generated a small tsunami and caused minor damage to buildings in the town of Kokopo in East New Britain province.
There have been no reports of injuries or major damage to infrastructure.
The earthquake hit at 11:44am (AEST), with an epicentre 139 kilometres south of Kokopo and a depth of 40-50 kilometres.
A tsunami warning for “hazardous” waves was initially issued for islands within 300km of the epicentre, but “the tsunami threat has largely passed,” according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre’s (PTWC) latest advisory.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquake at magnitude-7.4 but the PNG Geophysical Observatory Office said it was a magnitude-7.2.
“[Tsunami] waves were observed in Rabaul from about 12:15(pm) for roughly an hour,” said Chris Maki, assistance director at the office.
“The sea receded first and then came back in and they saw several cycles of tsunami action in Rabaul harbour.” He said tsunami waves of less than 50 centimetres could have reached as far as the PNG mainland, about 450 kilometres away.
PNG’s prime minister Peter O’Neill was briefed by East New Britain governor Ereman Tobaining and said the Provincial Disaster Office was monitoring the situation.
“In our island regions people have to be particularly vigilant for the potential of tsunamis,” Mr O’Neill said.
