Two strong quakes, a magnitude 6.2 quickly followed by a magnitude 6.1 aftershock, struck Papua New Guinea, on the eastern shore of the main island of New Guinea, the US Geological Survey reported.

The first quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.7 but later verified at 6.2, was centered 88.5 kilometres north of the town of Lae. It was only 50km deep.

The aftershock, deeper at 62km, struck very nearby, 74km north of Lae. The quakes struck on land, near the eastern coast.