Earth events - 11 March, 2013

6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Papua, NG

Reuters,

11 March, 2013

A magnitude 6.7 (6.5 USGS) earthquake has struck off Papua New Guinea’s north coast city of Lae, the United States Geological Survey said on Monday. The quake, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Lae, was initially recorded at a depth of about 20 km, although that figure was later revised to 87 km. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no Pacific-wide tsunami threat. 

–Reuters

Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano erupts

BBC,

11 March, 2013

Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano has continued erupting, spewing lava for a second day.

Local reports say ash stretched up to 2kms (1.4 miles) in the air on Saturday.

Access to the area around volcano has been restricted following the increased activity.

Alaska Quake Felt in Anchorage and Nearby Towns

ABC,

11 March, 2013

Authorities in Alaska say an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.0 was felt in Anchorage and areas to the northwest.

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center reports that the quake struck shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday. It was centered 28 miles northwest of Anchorage.

The quake was felt throughout the Cook Inlet region. There were no reports of damage.

5.2-magnitude quake hits Xinjiang

Xinhua,

11 March, 2013

URUMQI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- No casualties had been reported by 10 p.m. after a 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Monday morning.

The quake hit Atux City in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture at 11:01 a.m.. Six unoccupied houses were toppled and cracks appeared in the walls of 452 houses in Karajol Township, the epicenter.

Local authorities have sent teams to the affected areas to check for casualties and to inspect dangerous buildings damaged during the quake.

Relief materials including 100 tents, eight tonnes of flour, 300 cotton quilts and coats, and 20 tonnes of coal were dispatched to Karajol by the city's civil affairs department.

Atux lies in the southwest of Xinjiang, about 1,500 km from the regional capital Urumqi.