SYDNEY: An 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea. The United States Geological Survey reported that the epicentre of the earthquake was reported to be 47 kilometres west of Arawa on Bougainville Island. The earthquake was reported to have originated from a depth of 153 kilometres at 3:30 PM local time. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said that widespread hazardous tsunami waves between 0.3 and one metre are possible as a result of the earthquake for the next three hours. Areas that are in danger include the coasts of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Nauru, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Vanuatu, Chuuk and Indonesia. Preliminary assessments of the earthquake have indicated that there was moderate damage on Bougainville Island. The PTWC also warned that smaller waves were possible for other nearby countries. A Geoscience Australia seismologist Spiro Spiliopoulos told media that even though the epicentre was quite deep, it was still a large earthquake and some damage was possible. A 7.9-magnitude quake struck off Papua New Guinea in mid-December, but no casualties were reported and an initial tsunami threat was later deemed to have passed. Earthquakes are common near Papua New Guinea, which lies on the 4,000-kilometre-long Pacific Australia plate. It forms part of the “Ring of Fire”, a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates. In 2013 the Solomon Islands were hit by a devastating tsunami after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake rattled the region. That tsunami left at least 10 people dead, destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands of people homeless.