USGS Reports 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Near Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea was rocked by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck near the Southern Highlands area the USGS reported today. 

According to the USGS, the quake hit at a depth of roughly 10 km at around 4 a.m. local time. It's unclear if there were any damage or injuries caused by the event. 

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a statement that said: “An Earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 occurred in New Guinea, Papua New Guinea at 1745 UTC on Sunday February 25, 2018." No tsunami watches or warnings were issued because of the quake. 

The earthquake in Papua New Guinea struck just hours after another, smaller 5.5 magnitude quake rocked Japan around 1:30 a.m. local time. 

Papua New Guinea is located on the infamous "Ring of Fire" - a major basin located in the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanoes are located. Eighty-one percent of the world's largest earthquakes occur around the Ring of Fire. More than half of the world's most active volcanoes located above ground are also in this ring. 

This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.


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