A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck off the coast of the remote New Ireland area of Papua New Guinea this morning, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 6:10 am local time, was located 103 kilometres south-southwest of the town of Kavieng, New Ireland, the USGS said.

It took place at a depth of 19 kilometres.

Papua New Guinea sits on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where continental plates meet. The region is frequently hit by earthquakes.

- AFP