PORT MORESBY: A major undersea earthquake with a 6.7 magnitude struck off the remote New Ireland area of Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 12:19 am (1419 GMT Tuesday), was located 95 kilometres south-southeast of Taron, New Ireland, the USGS said. It took place at a depth of 35 kilometres.

Papua New Guinea sits on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where continental plates meet. The region is frequently rocked by earthquakes. - AFP/de