Very strong earthquake magnitude 6.6 struck New Ireland Region, P.N.G.

A very strong earthquake with magnitude 6.6 was recorded in New Ireland Region, Papua New Guinea on July 28, 2012 at 20:04 UTC according to USGS. Epicenter was located 124 km (77 miles) ESE (118°) from Rabaul, New Britain, PNG at 4.733°S, 153.173°E. Recorded depth was 66.7 km (41.4 miles). EMSC recorded magnitude 6.7 and depth of 60km. Epicenter is at least 50 km out of the coast.

This earthquake could not have generated tsunami.

GDACS reported that this earthquake can have a low humanitarian impact based on the Magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

About 32000 people lives within 100km radius. Earthquakes with this Magnitude and depth are fairly common in Papua New Guinea.

Magnitude	6.6
Date-Time	Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 20:04:00 UTC Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 06:04:00 AM at epicenter
Location	4.733°S, 153.173°E
Depth	66.7 km (41.4 miles)
Region	NEW IRELAND REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Distances	124 km (77 miles) ESE (118°) from Rabaul, New Britain, PNG 311 km (193 miles) WNW (302°) from Arawa, Bougainville, PNG 357 km (222 miles) SE (133°) from Kavieng, New Ireland, PNG 719 km (447 miles) ENE (72°) from Lae, New Guinea, PNG 843 km (524 miles) NE (52°) from PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 14.7 km (9.1 miles); depth +/- 11.4 km (7.1 miles)
Parameters	NST=120, Nph=122, Dmin=126.9 km, Rmss=1.51 sec, Gp= 18°, M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=6
Source	Magnitude: USGS, NEIS, Golden, Colorado (and predecessors) - used in PDE Location: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID	usb000bid9