6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Papua New Guinea

Photo : AFP

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland province on Saturday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

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The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 72 kilometers (44 miles), was located approximately 115 kilometers southeast of Kokopo, a town on the island.

Emonck Abelis, a receptionist at Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort, described the shaking as lasting for about a minute. Despite the tremor, he reported that there was no damage in the area.

Papua New Guinea, sitting along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to seismic activity. This region, known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, experiences intense tectonic movement as part of an arc that stretches through Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean basin.

Although earthquakes rarely cause widespread destruction in the sparsely populated regions of the country, they can trigger dangerous landslides in the steep terrain, posing risks to local communities and infrastructure.