Papua New Guinea Earthquake
© USGSThe 6.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
An 6.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea.

The US Geological Survey detected the epicentre near New Britain, Papua New Guinea's largest offshore island, at 4.15pm local time (7.15am BST).

It came days after another tremor measuring 6.4 hit the same region. There was no immediate information on casualties or damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not release a warning following the earthquake.

"Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake," a notice said.

Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" - a volcanically active region subject to requent earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

In July 1998, two undersea quakes measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale created three tsunamis that killed at least 2,100 people near the town of Aitape.