Powerful 6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes island off Australian coast
A 6.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the centre of Papua New Guinea.
By Tom Towers
DailyStar.co.uk
26th March 2018
The quake occurred 86 miles east of the port town of Kimbe.
It is the latest in the region over recent days and struck at a shallow depth of 6 miles.
It was felt as far afield as Darwin in northern Australia.
The USGS estimates there is a 34% chance of fatalities and damage.
Its website states: “Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist.
“The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) construction.
“Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.”
This weekend, a 6.8 magnitude quake rocked the island.
It sparked fears a tsunami was to follow and forced officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre to carry out an urgent investigation.
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