Two earthquakes rock Papua New Guinea
By DPA, IANSSunday, July 18, 2010
JAKARTA - Two strong earthquakes struck Papua New Guinea within half-an-hour late Sunday, leading Indonesian seismologists to issue a brief tsunami warning.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The first earthquake happened at 1304 GMT, with its epicentre located about 503 km northeast of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and at a depth of 77 km.
Indonesia’s Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said it measured 7.2 on the Richter scale. The US Geological Survey, meanwhile, put its magnitude at 6.9.
The second earthquake followed at about 1335 GMT, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said. Its epicentre was located 537 kilometres north-east of Port Moresby, at a depth of 26 km.
The agency warned through its website that the earthquake may trigger a tsunami, but lifted the warning an hour later.
According to Fauzi, an official at the agency who like many Indonesians goes only by one name, the alert was lifted after no tidal waves materialized and it was clear the threat had passed.
