OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Papua New Guinea - Earthquake
16 November 2000


1.  Two strong earthquakes hit New Britain and New Ireland region in Papua
New Guinea in the afternoon on 16 November 2000. (local time). According
to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake
measured 8.0 on the Richter scale with the epicentre situated at latitude
3.9 degrees South and longitude 152.3 degrees East, approximately 30 km
north-northeast of Rabaul in New Britain. Its origin time was 4.54 hrs GMT
or 14.54 hrs local time on 16 November. About 3 hours after the first
tremor (7.42 hrs GMT or 17.42 hrs local time), a second strong earthquake
with the magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale struck the same region. Its
epicentre was situated at latitude 5.2 degrees South and longitude 153.0
degrees East. According to the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning
Center (WC&ATWC), following the earthquakes, no destructive tsunami has
occurred, however, a regional minor tsunami was reported at Kokopo in New
Britain.

2.  While there has been no confirmed report of major damage and
casualties so far, initial media reports indicate that the first
earthquake caused damage to property in the town of Rabaul and a tsunami
triggered by the tremor crashed ashore and damaged a supermarket and other
buildings.

3.  OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and will revert with further information if
the situation warrants it.

4.  No request for international assistance has been received by OCHA to
date.

5.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:  Ms. S. Metzner-Strack / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 44 / 31 31 / 40 34

Press contact:
  (in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  (in NY) Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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