A strong, deep earthquake struck near the interface between the Pacific Plate and Bismarck Microplate near Papua New Guinea this evening, New Zealand time.
The magnitude 6.3 quake struck at a depth of 410 km at a location 125 km north-west of Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea at 7:13 p.m. on Saturday 21st April 2007, New Zealand time (5:13 p.m. local time).
The undersea quake’s epicentre is 795 km north-east of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and, despite its strength, is unlikely to have caused any serious damage owing to its great depth. A tsunami alert bulletin has not been issued.
[Compiled from data supplied by the US Geological Survey and its contributing agencies.]