Massive earthquake hits near Papua New Guinea
SYDNEY — A magnitude earthquake measuring at least 7.9 on the Richter scale has been reported between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands on Sunday, authorities have confirmed.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based in Hawaii, says there is a chance that the 7.9 earthquake could cause tsunami waves.
“Based on preliminary earthquake parameters … widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible … reaching 0.3 to 1 meters above the tide level for some coasts of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Nauru and Indonesia,” the organization said.
The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude of the quake at 8.0 on the Richter scale and the epicentre at 24 miles west of Panguna in Papua New Guinea.
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