KEY POINTS:
Two strong earthquakes, a magnitude 6.2 quickly followed by a magnitude 5.5 aftershock, struck Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, on the eastern shore of the main island of New Guinea, the US Geological Survey reported.
The first quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.7 but later verified at 6.2, was centred 88.5km north of the town of Lae. It was only 50km deep.
The aftershock, initially reported at magnitude 6.1 and later downgraded to 5.5, was deeper at 63.5km, and struck at 1913 GMT (0813 NZT), very nearby, 84km north of Lae.
USGS Earthquake Analyst Don Blakeman said the quakes were fairly strong and could have caused damage to local structures and villages but he added no reports of any damage or casualties were immediately available.
He said the quakes were very unlikely to cause a tsunami because they struck on land and were not powerful enough but the first one could cause some local wave activity. Both quakes were near the coast.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, which monitors possible tsunamis around the world, did not issue any warning.
The area is sparsely populated and is prone to earthquakes.
- REUTERS
