Quake of magnitude 7. hits Papua New Guinea, tsunami threat fades

(Reuters) – A warning for “hazardous tsunami waves” was issued briefly for coastal regions in 300 kms (186.41 miles) of Wau in Papua New Guinea’s northeast, just after a 7. magnitude earthquake struck the region, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre mentioned.

The quake struck about 12.50pm regional time at a depth of 85 km (52 miles), in accordance to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and struck offshore 18 kms (11 miles) east-southeast of Wau.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center originally issued a tsunami warning but explained about an hour afterwards the hazard experienced handed.

There have been no immediate stories of casualties or problems from the quake, which was at first recorded at 7.3 but later altered, and the PNG Countrywide Disaster Centre declined to remark right up until it experienced gained a briefing.

Wau is an inland former gold mining town with a population of about 5,000, about 150 kms (93 miles) south-west of PNG’s second-premier metropolis, Lae.

A person who answered the telephone at the Lae Town Lodge stated they the had felt the quake but there was no house damage.

“It’s ordinary, the earthquake, listed here. The employees is all right. They just kept on going,” the man or woman stated.

The resort was thoroughly booked but all the guests were out at the time of the quake, the person extra.