World Bulletin / News Desk

An earthquake with a magnitude 7.8 was recorded off Papua New Guinea on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake, at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), hit 68 km southwest of Panguna.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami warning was in effect for Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 was recorded off Papua New Guinea's remote Bougainville Island on April 11, but there were no reports of damage.

On April 13, two more earthquakes had hit the islands with magnitudes 7.6 and 7.5.

Earthquakes that measure between 6 and 6.9 magnitudes are classified as ‘strong,’ whereas the ones between 7 and 7.9 are called ‘major’ quakes.