On July 17, 1998, a powerful 7.0 Mw earthquake struck the northern coast of Papua New Guinea, causing immense destruction and loss of life. The earthquake's epicenter was near the village of Sissano, located within the region’s complex tectonic setting. Just moments after the quake, a large tsunami was generated, with waves devastating ten nearby coastal villages. The tsunami waves reached heights of up to 15 meters, sweeping away homes, infrastructure, and entire communities within minutes. In total, around 2,700 people lost their lives, and thousands suffered injuries or were displaced from their homes. Among the devastated communities, the villages of Sissano, Aitape, and Warapu were particularly hard hit, demonstrating the vulnerability of such coastal areas to seismic activity.The response to such a disaster was complicated by the remote location and the existing infrastructure challenges in Papua New Guinea. Emergency services struggled to reach the affected areas due to poor access roads and logistical difficulties. In the aftermath, humanitarian organizations and governments worldwide responded with aid and support. This disaster underscored the importance of disaster preparedness in areas prone to seismic activity and initiated discussions on earthquake engineering and coastal resilience in vulnerable regions. The event also attracted international focus on Papua New Guinea’s susceptibility to natural disasters, prompting further research into both geological hazards and community awareness programs.