Deep M6.0 earthquake hits Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 earthquake hit Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea at 17:08 UTC on July 11, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 497.1 km (308.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 505 km (313.7 miles).
The epicenter was located 177.7 km (110.4 miles) NNW of Kieta, Bougainville, PNG and 332.1 km (206.4 miles) E of Kokopo, East New Britain, PNG.
There are about 47 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
179 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM
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