A powerful earthquake has struck waters off Papua New Guinea. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage and no threat of a widespread, destructive tsunami.
The US Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 and struck 32 kilometres beneath the ocean floor.
It hit near the island province of New Britain early Thursday, 470 kilometres northeast of the national capital Port Moresby.
Advertisement: Story continues below Residents contacted by phone said they could not even feel the tremor.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a statement saying there was no threat of a widespread, destructive tsunami.
