SYDNEY - Officials are warning that hazardous tsunami waves could hit some coastlines in the Pacific after a powerful earthquake struck near the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck on Monday at a depth of 66 kilometers (41 miles). The epicenter was located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of the town of Kokopo in northeastern Papua New Guinea.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous tsunami waves were possible for coasts located within 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) of the epicenter. That includes Papua New Guinea and the nearby Solomon Islands.
The tsunami warning center said tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) are possible for Papua New Guinea's coastlines.