A magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred at 06:48am today not far from Pomio, East New Britain Province.
The Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory (PMGO) says the earthquake, which occurred about 40km South-West of Pomio, was a result of interaction between the South Bismarck and Solomon Plates.
“The earthquake was felt in Rabaul but no damage from this earthquake has been reported, however, communications in the Pomio area are challenging,” said the PMGO.
“Based on the available data, it is unlikely that this earthquake would have generated a tsunami.
“A tsunami alert was issued by Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre soon after the earthquake occurred, but the alert was subsequently cancelled.”
The details of the quake are:
Time: 06.48 am
Location: 5.7 ° S, 151.2 ° E
Depth: 40-70 km
Mag: 6.8
This newsroom was further advised that tsunamis occur immediately after an earthquake happens.
“They travel out from the source at a few kilometres an hour. If there was no tsunami at the time of the earthquake, there will not be one now.”