A Magnitude 6.5 at a depth of 63 km occurred beneath the interior of western New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea, at 6.30 am on Monday 8 July 2013, local time (8.30 pm on Sunday 7 July, GMT), according to Geoscience Australia, who estimate the quake had the potential to cause damage to buildings across much of the western part of the island and be felt across much of Papua New Guinea and the western Solomon Islands. The United States Geological Survey estimates that there is a 35% chance of the quake causing fatalities, but so far, though people have reported feeling the quake over quite a wide area, there have been no reports of any damage or injuries.
The approximate location of the 8 July 2013 New Britain Earthquake. Google Maps.
New Britain is located on the South Bismarck Plate, north of the Solomon Sea Plate, which is being subducted beneath it. The plates do not pass over one-another smoothly, but constantly stick together then break apart as the pressure builds up, causing Earthquakes in the process.
See also Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake off the coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, Eruption on Mount Langila, Major Earthquake shakes New Ireland & New Britain, Eruption on Mount Pago and Earthquake shakes New Britain.
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