A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck near the Solomon Islands in the western Pacific, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, updating its initial estimate of a 7.1-magnitude quake. No immediate threat of a destructive tsunami was reported. The quake struck at a depth of about 30 kilometres with an epicentre 40km southwest of Kira Kira, on Makira Island, and 224km southeast of the capital, Honiara, at 4.30pm (5.30am GMT), the USGS said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a bulletin saying "no destructive widespread tsunami threat exists based on historical earthquake and tsunami data". However, it warned earthquakes of such a magnitude "sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within 100 kilometres of the earthquake epicentre. "Authorities in the region of the epicentre should be aware of this possibility and take action."
Like much of the Pacific, the Solomons regularly experience earthquakes, most recently a 6.8 magnitude temblor in April, without a tsuanmi or reports of damage. *AFP
