A strong earthquake packing a magnitude of 6.7 has hit Papua New Guinea (PNG), but there are no immediate reports of damage or a tsunami.

The US Geological Survey says the undersea quake struck 219 kilometres (136 miles) south-west of the town of Arawa, in the politically troubled region of Bougainville.

It hit at 12:52pm AEST at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Officials at PNG's Rabaul Volcanological Observatory have confirmed the quake rocked the region, but say there are no reports of a tsunami or any casualties or damage.

"At this stage we have not received any information as to whether or not there has been a tsunami, but we think the likelihood of that is minimal as we would have heard something by now," observatory official Mathew Moihoi said.

"We are monitoring this situation, but the chances of damage or casualties are also very low because the nearest town is about 200 kilometres away."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii noted the quake but issued no tidal wave warning.