Papua New Guinea was hit with a powerful earthquake on Wednesday. A magnitude 6.8 shook parts of the South Pacific nation. There do not appear to be any casualties or major damage.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was located about 40 miles west-southwest of Panguna in Papua New Guinea. The quake struck at 8:31 p.m. at a depth of 58 miles, the Associated Press reports.
A Pacific-wide tsunami was not likely according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. There were no reports of damage or injuries. Luckily the quake was not felt in the capital of Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea is no stranger to earthquakes. They are common in the area as the country lies on the "Ring of Fire." This arc is frequented by earthquakes and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.
One of the biggest earthquakes in the country was a magnitude-7.0 earthquake on the northern coast. The quake started a large tsunami which wiped out several villages and killed about 2,200 people.
There have been 22 earthquakes measuring more than magnitude 7.5 in New Guinea since 1990.
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