7.9 magnitude earthquake strikes New Guinea

According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake has
struck west of Papua New Guinea.The quake was 153 kilometers (95.5
miles) deep and centered 40 kilometers (24 miles) west of the town of
Panguna.

Preliminary reports said
the earthquake, which occurred at 2:30 p.m. local time Sunday (11:30
p.m. Saturday ET) measured 8.0 but USGS later downgraded its magnitude.

The
USGS estimates that 72,000 people would have experienced severe shaking
as a result of the quake. The predominant structure of homes in the
area meant they were vulnerable to earthquakes and…