Tsunami warning lifted in Papua New Guinea after 6.9 magnitude earthquake

The shallow earthquake struck early Saturday morning local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was offshore, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Kimbe.

In response, the USGS warned that waves of 1 to 3 meters could impact some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. There have been no reports of injuries or damage. New Britain, Papua New Guinea's largest island, is home to more than 500,000 people.

Location of Papua New Guinea on the map. Photo: GI/Britannica

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Australia, Papua New Guinea's nearest neighbor. New Zealand authorities also did not issue a warning.

Papua New Guinea lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a seismically active region that experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. About 75% of the world's active volcanoes and about 90% of earthquakes occur along this tectonic zone.

Myanmar, the country that just suffered a devastating earthquake, is not located directly on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", but is part of a seismically active area known as the Alpide Belt, which stretches from the Mediterranean through the Middle East, the Himalayas and into Southeast Asia.

More than 3,300 people have now been confirmed dead and thousands injured in the earthquake in Myanmar. Survivors and rescue workers are facing harsh conditions, exacerbated by extreme heat and forecasts of unseasonal rain, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and malaria.

Bui Huy (according to USGS, NewsWeek, Xinhua)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/canh-bao-song-than-duoc-do-bo-o-papua-new-guinea-sau-dong-dat-69-do-richter-post341541.html