7.quake hits Papua New Guinea

7.0 quake hits in Papua New Guinea

A magnitude 7.0 quake has been recorded in Papua New Guinea's New Britain area.

Radio NZ,

11 October, 2018

Authorities said it was recorded at a depth of 33km and was off the south coast of New Britain island.

It has been downgraded from an intial 7.3.

Speaking from Rabaul in East New Britain province, the head of the regional volcanological oberservatory Steve Saunders says it was a fairly big shake.

Mr Saunders said it was very close to shore.

"We felt it reasonably strongly, but it hasn't done any damage here."

He said a power blackout in Rabaul coincided with the earthquake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts within 300km of the epicentre.

However Mr Saunders said the depth of the New Britain trench means tsunamis were not generally very big.