Strong 6.9 magnitude earthquake jolts Papua New Guinea

A strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck Papua New Guinea Sunday morning, the United States Geological Survey said. 

There were no warnings of a dangerous tsunami, according to Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre officials. 

The earthquake hit inland at a depth of about 22 miles, around 88 kilometers southwest of Wewak, a town with about 25,000 people, the USGS said. The USGS said the quake hit at about 9:22am (Hawaii time) near Ambunti in East Sepik, Papua New Guinea

There haven't been any reports of injuries or damage yet. 

Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea because it lies on the "Ring of Fire," an area known for a lot of volcanic and earthquake activity. While these earthquakes don't usually cause widespread damage, they can trigger massive landslides. 

In April last year, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake claimed at least seven deaths. Many people in Papua New Guinea live in remote areas, where the difficult terrain with no proper roads make it difficult for authorities to help them after an earthquake.