7.1-magnitude earthquake rattles Papua New Guinea

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Bougainville region of Papua New Guinea Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The earthquake's epicenter, about 36 miles below the surface, was about 40 miles west-southwest of Panguna, Papua New Guinea, and about 398 miles west-northwest of Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center said the earthquake didn't pose a tsunami threat to the Australian mainland or territories, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

AccuWeather.com said there were no reports of deaths or damages.