Quake slams Papua New Guinea; far-reaching tsunami alert issued

A powerful earthquake struck Papua New Guinea late Tuesday evening, triggering a tsunami alert for coastal areas up to 620 miles away.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 7.5 and was 28 miles northeast of Kokopo.

The USGS estimated that damage and injuries would be low because of the area’s sparse population.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves of more than 3 feet were possible along coastal areas hundreds of miles from the epicenter, including Papua New Guinea and the nearby Solomon Islands. Later, it said the tsunami threat had largely passed.