7.0 magnitude quake hits PNG

Target shows the site of this morning's earthquake. Photo / PTWC

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea this morning, but no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake hit New Britain island at 8:01am local time, at a depth of 54 kilometres, said the United States Geological Survey.

Its epicentre was 145 kilometres east of Kandrian, and 570km from the capital Port Moresby.

A statement from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: "Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."

- NZ HERALD STAFF