UPDATE - Magnitude 7.9 quake hits off east Papua New Guinea

UPDATES WITH TSUNAMI THREAT

By Recep Sakar

MELBOURNE, Australia (AA) - A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit off eastern Papua New Guinea on Saturday, and a tsunami threat was issued for nearby areas.

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 said there was a threat of tsunami in nearby parts of the Pacific.

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