A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea at 14:08 UTC on November 18, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 36.3 km (22.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 15 km (9.3 miles).
The epicenter was located about 190 km (118 miles) SE of Kokopo (population 26 273), and 233 km (145 miles) WNW of Arawa (population 40 266), Papua New Guinea.
334 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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 a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unreinforced brick masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regionals seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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