The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake at a depth of 35 km beneath western
New Britain slightly before 4.15 pm local time (slightly before 6.15 am
GMT) on Monday 17 October 2016. There are no reports of any casualties
associated with this event, but many people on the island are reporting
minor damage, and the event was felt on mainland Papua New Guinea.
The approximate location of the 17 October 2016 New Britain Earthquake. Google.
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. If you felt this event then you can report it to the Athens Institute of Geodynamics Here.
See also...
Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake off the east coast of New Britain. The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake at a depth of 10 km off... 
Eruptions on Mount Tavurvur. Mount Tavurvur, an active stratovolcano (cone-shaped volcano) on the
eastern part of the Rabul Caldera on the Island of New Britain, part of
Papua New Guinea, underwent a major eruption on Friday 29 August.... 
Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake beneath western New Britain. 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...
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