Tsunami warning after massive earthquake strikes off PNG coast

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Friday.

The quake struck 18km east-southeast of Wau about 12.50pm AEST at a depth of 85 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.

Wau is an inland former gold mining town with a population of about 5000, about 150km southwest of PNG's second-largest city, Lae.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning for “hazardous tsunami waves” but said about an hour later the danger had passed.

Mild shaking was felt in the nation’s capital Port Moresby.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake, which was initially recorded at 7.3 but later adjusted, and the PNG National Disaster Centre declined to comment until it had received a briefing.

A person who answered the phone at the Lae City Hotel said they the had felt the quake but there was no property damage.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.