Papua New Guinea hit by 7.5 magnitude earthquake

The earthquake this morning was measured at 7.5 magnitude and was 35km deep. Photo / USGS

A large earthquake has struck the middle of Papua New Guinea.

The US Geological Survey says the magnitude-7.5 quake hit about 89 kilometres southwest of Porgera early today in the Pacific island nation.

Geological Survey geophysicist Paul Caruso says the quake, which had a depth of 35 kilometres, occurred in a rural, jungle area near a mountain range.

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It wasn't immediately clear if there was damage. The Geological Survey website had 19 reports of people feeling the quake, including some saying the shaking was violent.

Caruso said there was no tsunami danger.

Homes in the region were "a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction".

The impact should be relatively localised, USGS said.

Earthquakes are common in PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

- AP and Daily Mail

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