Magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits country, Tsunami warning issued

onnaedo

March 30, 2015 3:38 PM

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was near the town of Rabaul in the northeast of Papua New Guinea.

A Magnitude 7.5 earthquake has hit Papua New Guinea, Al Jazeera reports. A tsunami warning was reportedly issued soon after the earthquake hit.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was near the town of Rabaul in the northeast of Papua New Guinea. The monitor initally reported a 7.7 magnitude earthquake but later downgraded it to 7.5.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said "hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 km of the earthquake epicentre along the coasts of Papua New Guinea and the ".

The powerful quake struck at a depth of 40km and was followed by two further offshore earthquakes in the vicinity which measured 5.7 and 5.0 respectively.

Residents in the area reported sea level rose slightly, prompting ocean water to flood the parking lot of a shopping center near the beach.

There has however been no reports of damage or injuries within an hour of the quake rattling the country.

onnaedo