A 6.8 MAGNITUDE earthquake has struck off the island of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea, according to disaster officials, putting the Ring of Fire on high alert.
USGS
The earthquake struck off the island of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea.
Officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said that, based on the current evidence, there is no tsunami threat to nearby islands.
A spokesman said: “A destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii.”
At least 55 people died in a separate earthquake in Papua New Guinea last week, although authorities fear the toll could exceed 100.
The 7.5 magnitude disaster, which took place last Monday, destroyed homes, triggered landslides and halted work at four oil and gas fields.
He said: “It is beyond the capacity of the provincial government to cope with the magnitude of destruction and devastation.
“Our people are traumatised and finding it difficult to cope.”
USGS
Officials said there is currently no tsunami threat to nearby islands.
She said: “It is terror. They think the end of the world is happening.”
The Pacific Ring of Fire is the most geologically active area in the world, with more than 90 percent of earthquakes occurring there.
The recent volatility in the region has increased fears for the Big One: a major earthquake in a highly populated area on the US west coast or in Japan.