SYDNEY – A strong earthquake struck early Thursday off an island in the Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea. No tsunami warning was issued, but the shaking was felt hundreds of miles (kilometers) away.
Chris McKee of the country's Geohazards Program said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.6 quake struck just off the island of New Britain. It was at a depth of 13 miles (22 kilometers).
McKee said strong shaking was felt in Rabaul, a New Britain town about 250 miles (400 kilometers) away.
The area is along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanos and fault lines that stretches around the Pacific Rim.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a widespread tsunami. McKee said there had been no reports of any destructive waves.
