PORT MORESBY:Papua New Guinea was hit Wednesday by a 6.6-magnitude earthquake, geologists said, though no destructive tsunami was expected and no immediate damage was reported.

The quake hit at 5:18 am (1918 GMT Tuesday), 132 kilometres (82 miles) east of Kandrian on New Britain Island at a depth of 56 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that, based on historical data, there was no immediate threat of a widespread destructive tsunami.

BDST: 0911 HRS, July 21, 2010