A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea and caused a small tsunami, frightening residents living near the epicenter.

According to Papua New Guinea National Disaster Center Acting Director Martin Mose, the tsunami, which measured 1.5-feet, struck the harbor of Rabaul, a town near the earthquake's epicenter.

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In a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake had a depth of forty miles (65 kilometers), thirty miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Kokopo town. It is located at the northeastern part of Papua New Guinea.

After the earthquake occurred, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center immediately released a warning saying that tsunami waves of up to ten feet could strike some areas in Papua New Guinea. Tsunami waves of less than one foot could also hit other areas in the Pacific and could reach as far as Russia.

A few hours after the earthquake struck, the center lifted its warning advisory.

No casualties

The strong earthquake caused panic among residents of the affected areas, but no casualties were reported.

In Rabaul, the sea level slightly rose, causing seawater to flood the parking area of a commercial establishment located near a beach.

Guests and workers of the Rabaul Hotel also left the building when the earthquake, which lasted for around five minutes, struck.

Pacific Ring of Fire

Strong earthquakes are not new for the people of Papua New Guinea. The country is situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur within the basin of the Pacific Ocean. Oceanic trenches, volcanic belts and arcs are connected with one another.

Ninety percent of the global earthquake incidents happen within the Pacific Ring of Fire, many of them among the world's strongest.

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