Two Earthquakes Timed Two Hours Apart Shake Papua New Guinea, No Tsunami Warning Issued Yet

In just a span of two hours apart, two massive earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 6.8 shook Papua New Guinea on early Monday morning. No tsunami alert warning has yet been issued.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first 7.2 magnitude struck at 110 kilometres northeast of Taron on the island of New Ireland at 4.35am (0435 AEST). The second 6.8 magnitude, following two hours later, was recorded near the town of Kandrian on New Britain.

Authorities have yet to ascertain if the two quakes caused damage to property or injuries to lives. Jonathan Bathgate, a seismologist at GeoScience Australia, however, said they believe the initial and bigger quake occurred too deep under the ocean floor at 378 km to cause damage.

"Damage is unlikely although it would have been felt," he was quoted by the Herald Sun. He noted tsunami warnings were normally issued for quakes that struck less than 100km in depth.

Although the second quake was at only 62km deep, Mr Bathgate said it was only an aftershock.

"It would have woken people up but these areas are very remote and the potential is only for minor damage," he said.