The USSG reported the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 11pm with an epicentre located between the Duke of York Group of Islands and Namatanai, in the New Ireland Province at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Aftershocks continue after 7.7 magnitude earthquake
A tsunami alert warning has since been issued for costal villages.
The quake was also felt in parts of New Ireland, Manus and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The quake is the biggest since 2015 magnitude 7.5 quake that that caused landslips and damage to infrastructure.
No damages have yet been reported except for power outages in most parts of East New Britain province.
The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory is yet to confirm if it is volcano or tectonic plate related.
Aftershocks are continuing.
- Picture by Annette Sete in Kokopo.
