A powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s New Britain region on Friday, March 29, 2024, prompting tremors across the island nation. Initial reports
A powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s New Britain region on Friday, March 29, 2024, prompting tremors across the island nation but, according to initial reports, causing no widespread damage or immediate tsunami threat.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake occurred at approximately 8:34 AM UTC (6:34 PM local time) with a relatively deep focus of 63.6 kilometers (39.5 miles). Its epicenter was located about 107 kilometers (66 miles) east-southeast of Kandrian, a town on the southwestern coast of New Britain.
Due to its depth, the seismic activity was felt across a wide area, including parts of mainland Papua New Guinea, but the deeper origin often mitigates the severity of shaking at the surface compared to shallow quakes of similar magnitude. Authorities have not reported any immediate casualties or significant structural damage, though local assessments are ongoing in remote areas.
Geological Context
Papua New Guinea lies within the highly active “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity. This region is a major area of plate tectonic interaction, where several tectonic plates meet and often collide, leading to regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
“The region around Papua New Guinea is one of the most seismically active zones globally,” a geophysicist familiar with the area might explain. “Earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon here, and while always a concern, the depth of this particular event likely played a role in preventing more severe surface impacts.”
Following the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) confirmed that there was no tsunami threat, a common occurrence for earthquakes of this depth and location unless specific geological conditions are met. Local emergency services advised residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks, which are common after such strong seismic events.
The nation, which often experiences natural disasters, has established protocols for earthquake response, focusing on initial assessments and community safety. Further updates on any localized impact are expected as communications are established with more remote communities.
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