6.5-Magnitude earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea, no immediate damage reported

A powerful earthquake measuring around 6.5 on the Richter scale hit parts of Papua New Guinea on Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremor struck at 10:31 GMT near Goroka, the capital of the country’s Eastern Highlands Province, and originated about 110 kilometers (68 miles) beneath the surface, the USGS said.

Germany’s Research Center for Geosciences initially assessed the quake at magnitude 6.6 before revising it down to 6.4. Authorities reported no immediate injuries or damage, and officials confirmed that no tsunami alert was issued.

Papua New Guinea is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most geologically active zones where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur regularly. As a result, the country is shaken by numerous notable earthquakes every year. This active tectonic environment leaves the region especially exposed to seismic dangers. Although the latest earthquake did not appear to cause serious harm, it highlights the ongoing geological threats that communities across the South Pacific continue to face.