- SYDNEY: A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of the South Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea.
- There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami alert has been issued.
The US Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.3 quake struck Tuesday about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of the town of Kandrian on the island of New Britain. The quake struck at a depth of 6 miles (9 kilometers).
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami alert.
Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea. The country lies on the “Ring of Fire” — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim. About 90 percent of the world’s quakes occur in the region.