Magnitude 7.9 quake hits off east Papua New Guinea

By Recep Sakar

MELBOURNE, Australia (AA) - A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit off eastern Papua New Guinea on Saturday, but no tsunami alert was issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the temblor hit 132.8 kilometers (82.5 miles) east of Kokopo town at a depth of 103.2 km at 8.51 p.m. (1051GMT)

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami alert or warning.

Papua New Guinea lies within the Pacific’s "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent seismic and volcanic activity.