The US Geological Survey says a 6-point-7 magnitude earthquake has hit Papua New Guinea's second largest city, Lae.
The Survey says the quake was not powerful enough to generate a tsunami
Larry George, manager of the local City Mission, said items fell off shelves, water tanks burst and parts of the city were plunged into darkness as electricity supplies were disrupted.
Mr George says Lae often has small tremors but last night's quake was the biggest many longterm residents had felt.