6.6 magnitude earthquake

The quake struck about 10.51pm New Zealand time, 180km west of the town of Rabaul on New Britain Island, at a depth of 40km, the USGS said.

It is the latest in a series in the region over recent days.

There had been no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

There was no immediate tsunami warning.

The US geological service said the quake was at a depth of 46 kilometres and was 54 kilometres of Fais, in Micronesia.

Forecaster Katherin Tun said the quake felt short and sharp, but no reports of damage had come in so far.

She said the location of the earthquake had been plotted and confirmed by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre but there had been no tsunami activity observed.