USGS map of the Monday earthquake in Papua New Guinea. (US Geological Survey)WELLINGTON, New Zealand: A powerful earthquake rattled forest villages and a large gold mine in central Papua New Guinea early Monday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. Chris McKee, acting director of geohazards management for the Papua New Guinea government, said tens of thousands of people live in the forested highlands region affected by the quake. “There seem to be quite a few reports of the quake being felt strongly,” he said. Papua New Guinea is located on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, to the east of Indonesia.

Source: Bangkok Post February 26, 2018 03:33 UTC