Earthquake 7.6 hit eastern Papua New Guinea, Tsunami warning issued. All latest details here

On September 11, Papua New Guinea had a large earthquake off its eastern coast. While the extent of the damage is unknown, photographs show debris scattered across roadways and road fractures springing up. The earthquake hit at a depth of 90 kilometers which is around 56 miles from Kainantu, thousands of people resided there.

According to recordings and photographs large fissures formed in buildings and window awnings fell following the earthquake. The shaking was substantially stronger than in past quakes, according to residents in Lae and Madang, which are closest to the epicenter.



Since Papua New Guinea is located in the Pacific and hence it is prone to earthquakes. It is home to some of the most active volcanoes on the planet also.

An earthquake of a similar magnitude hit the country's highlands remotely in 2018 and it killed more than 60 people and injured 500, demolishing buildings, creating landslides, and damaging a large gas facility. Papua New Guinea is prone to earthquakes because it lies in the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire," where shifting tectonic plates press against each other, causing tremors. Similarly, n 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake in neighboring Indonesia caused a tsunami that killed 220,000 people throughout the area, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

FAQ

Q. Where is Papua New Guinea?
A. Papua New Guinea is an island country in the southwest Pacific. It comprises the eastern part of New Guinea as well as other tiny offshore islands. Its neighbours are Indonesia to the west, Australia to the south, and the Solomon Islands to the southeast.