Magnitude 7.9 quake hits off east Papua New Guinea

MELBOURNE

A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit off eastern Papua New Guinea on Saturday, and a tsunami threat was issued for nearby areas. 

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the temblor hit 132.8 kilometers (82.5 miles) east of Kokopo town at a depth of 103.2 km at 8.51 p.m.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was a threat of tsunami in nearby parts of the Pacific. 

Papua New Guinea lies within the Pacific’s "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent seismic and volcanic activity.