Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Strikes Papua New Guinea
Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Papua New Guinea was shaken by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, according to data from the US Geological Survey.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 was recorded off the coast of Papua New Guinea, near the Kainantu region, in the morning hours UTC.
Magnitude and Location of the Earthquake
According to statements made by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred approximately 30 miles from Kainantu and at a depth of about 64 miles.
Regional Structure and Risks
It is known that the population in the region resides in both earthquake-resistant and non-resistant structures. Past tremors in the region have led to secondary hazards such as landslides.
Tectonic Location and Active Faults
The tremor in question took place along the approximately 2,500-mile-long Australia-Pacific plate boundary, which extends from the Sunda trench in the west to the Solomon Islands.
Historical Earthquake Record
Across Papua New Guinea, 13 earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 or greater have been recorded since 1900, with an 8.1 magnitude tremor in 2007 triggering a tsunami.