Papua New Guinea was rattled by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale early Saturday morning, plunging parts of the island nation into fear and uncertainty. The tremor struck at 6:04 AM local time, with residents abruptly awakened as buildings swayed and people rushed into the streets.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the magnitude of the earthquake at 7.1, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) offered a slightly lower reading at 6.9. Despite the discrepancy, both agencies pinpointed the quake’s epicenter to a location approximately 194 kilometers southeast of Kimbe, the capital of West New Britain Province, near the coastal district of Pomio. The tremor originated from a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers beneath the earth's surface, intensifying the impact felt on land.

In the half hour that followed the initial shock, at least four aftershocks were recorded, the strongest registering at 5.3 magnitude. These successive tremors deepened the anxiety among local communities, prompting many to remain outdoors in open spaces, wary of further seismic activity.

An initial tsunami warning was issued by the USGS shortly after the earthquake but was later withdrawn as monitoring stations reported no abnormal sea-level changes. Nonetheless, the momentary alert was enough to spur brief evacuations in some coastal areas.

Residents near the epicenter described the moment as deeply unsettling. Raphael Sisleria, a resort operator based in Pomio, shared that most people in the area were still asleep when the quake hit. "The ground started shaking violently, and within moments, people ran out of their homes in panic. It was terrifying," he recounted. "Fortunately, things are calming down now, and we haven’t heard of any casualties yet."

While no official reports of injuries or fatalities have been released, authorities continue to assess the affected regions for structural damage and potential hazards. Emergency response teams have been deployed to monitor the situation and provide assistance where needed, particularly in remote or less accessible areas.

Papua New Guinea’s frequent encounters with seismic activity are largely attributed to its geographical location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" — a horseshoe-shaped zone known for its high tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes, while often intense in the region, vary in their levels of destruction based on depth and proximity to populated areas.

The latest quake serves as a sobering reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Although this event has so far spared the country from tragedy, it has once again underlined the importance of preparedness and resilient infrastructure in seismically active zones.

As life gradually returns to normal in the quake-affected regions, local and international agencies remain on alert, closely monitoring seismic patterns to anticipate any further developments.