Magnitude 6.8 quake hits near PNG

The US Geological Survey says a strong magnitude 6.8 earthquake has struck southwest of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea but no tsunami is expected.

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake has struck around 180 kilometres southwest of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea, the United States Geological Survey says.

It said the quake, which struck on Saturday, was measured at a depth of 60km.

In a brief statement, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said: "Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."