An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck off Papua New Guinea today, 80 miles south-south-west of Rabaul, at a depth of 38 miles, the United States Geological Survey reported.

The quake hit at 08.06am GMT, 428 miles northeast of the Pacific nation's capital Port Moresby. There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties.

"It's a very uninhabited region off the island of New Britain," co-director of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre Daniel Jaksa told AFP.

"The earthquake was a measure of 7.1, so that's about 30 times smaller than the [recent] earthquake in Nepal. It should be like the one yesterday - no real impact."

A hazardous tsunami warning was initally issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, but soon lifted.

Rabaul, a town on East New Britain Island, lies in the shadow of Mount Tavurvur, an active volcano.

Rabaul was destroyed in 1994 during a severe eruption.

The area was struck by a 6.9 quake on Thursda