6.3-magnitude earthquake hits off PNG: USGS

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Papua New Guinea in the Admiralty Islands area early today, US geologists said, but no destructive Pacific-wide tsunami was expected.

The offshore quake hit at 5:38 AM (local time) and occurred 128 kilometres southeast of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicentre was at a depth of 6.6 kilometres.

No damage or injuries were immediately reported. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no threat of a widespread tsunami.

Quakes are common for the island nation that lies on the 4,000-kilometre-long Pacific Australia plate, which forms part of the "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.