4 Major Earthquakes Rock Pacific Rim Of Fire, One At 7.1 Magnitude
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Four major earthquakes shook the Pacific Rim region overnight and Friday afternoon, including a 7.1 magnitude quake and a 6.5 magnitude quake near Papua New Guinea, plus a third 6.1 quake in Valle San Francisco, Nicaragua, and a 6.6 quake Friday afternoon. None generated a tsunami that would affect the United States or Northern California.
The first Nicaraguan quake caused damage to buildings in the Central American nation, and falling debris injured at least 23 people. The second quake registered significantly higher in strength, and damage reports are still coming in.
Across the Pacific, the New Guinea region is notorious for powerful quakes and there are no reports of major damage, despite the strength of the double quakes.
Both quakes were initially reported at higher magnitudes, 7.3 and 6.7 respectively, and then downgraded.
The New Guinea region has seen 22 earthquakes above 7.5 magnitude since 1900.