article_snippet: A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 rocked the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea on Monday, generating a 'small tsunami' and frightening locals near the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea epicenter.
article_snippet: quake struck at a depth of 65 kilometers (40 miles), about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of the town of Kokopo, near Rabaul, at around 10am local time, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
article_snippet: This photo, released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows a shakemap of the region (white cross) in Papua New Guinea where a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Monday .
article_snippet: quake struck at a depth of 65 kilometers (40 miles), about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of the town of Kokopo, near Rabaul (pictured), at around 10am local time, the U.S. Geological Survey reported .
article_snippet: Above, another shakemap of the region . '
article_snippet: quake caused strong shaking and knocked items off shelves in Kokopo, and was felt 500 miles away in Port Moresby, said Chris McKee, assistant director of the Geophysical Observatory.
article_snippet: Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea.
article_snippet: the nation lies on the 'Ring of Fire' - an arc of earthquake and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.
highlights_snippet: Strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Papua New Guinea on Monday .
  