Papua New Guinea Braces for Tsunami After 7.9 Magnitude Quake

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Papua New Guinea on Saturday, causing the surrounding areas to be on alert after a Tsunami warning was issued, with large waves expected to hit in the next few hours. 

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The U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, said that the 7.9 quake was registered around 100 miles east of Rabaul on the Island of New Britain and struck at a depth of  64 miles. The USGS has not yet reported any casualties or damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible," which are expected to hit Papua New Guinea’s coast, as well as the surrounding area in the next few hours.

Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Nauru, Vanuatu and a number of Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Kosrae are also expected to be hit by large waves.

New Zealand also issued a tsunami warning for the whole country and said they had advised citizens to stay away from beaches and keep aware of emergency updates. Further away, Hawaii and Australia said there was currently no threat from tsunami hitting their coasts.

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A 6.3 magnitude aftershock was later registered around 100 miles southeast of Taron with a depth of 22 miles.

Earthquakes are common in area known as the Pacific "Ring of Fire" because of the collision of tectonic plates in the region. Earlier in December, tsunami warnings were also issued in the area after a  7.8-magnitude earthquake.