The tremor happened 29 miles west of the Arawa, on Bougainville island, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a widespread tsunami is possible following the quake.
7.8 earthquake hits New Zealand
Mon, November 14, 2016
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has triggered a tsunami off the coast of New Zealand – near the same place a tremor killed dozens of people.
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7.8 earthquake hits New Zealand
USGS
The massive quake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in an advisory that "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible" as a result of the earthquake for the next three hours along the coasts of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Nauru, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Vanuatu, Chuuk and Indonesia.
The monumental quake was close to the islands of New Britain, New Ireland and New West Britain.
It comes just a week after a huge 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit anothr Pacific Island Fiji.
GETTY
Seismic activity is common in Papua New Guinea
The powerful quake hit in the highly active tectonic zone that frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Just one week before that a 7.2 tremor was recorded in the same region.
More to follow.
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