MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the earthquake hit 39 miles off the town of Taron in New Ireland and was at the depth of 45 miles.
"Widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
Prelim M5.5 earthquake New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea Dec-17 11:22 UTC, updates https://t.co/VULQ5bvTyP
— USGS Big Quakes (@USGSBigQuakes) 17 декабря 2016 г.
#BREAKING: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says widespread #tsunami waves possible after 7.9 #earthquake off #PNG pic.twitter.com/DnzRaoy4m4
— Australian News Net. (@AusNewsNetwork) 17 декабря 2016 г.
The New Ireland Region is located in the so-called Ring of Fire quake zone where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
