The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake at a depth of 25.2 km roughly 49 km on the south coast of East New Britain Province, Papua New Gunea, slightly before 5.10 am local time on Thursday 26 August 2020 (slightly before 7.10 pm on Wednesday 26 February GMT). There are no reports of any damage or casualties associated with this event, but it is likely to have been felt locally.
The aproximate location of the 26 August 2020 East New Britain Earthquake. USGS.
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.
The subduction of the Solomon Sea Plate beneath New Britain. Oregon State University.
Witness
accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events,
and the structures that cause them. The international non-profit
organisation Earthquake Report is interested in hearing from people who may have felt this event; if you felt this quake then you can report it to Earthquake Report here.
See also...
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