6.2 Quake Hits Solomons No Tsunami

In Australasia, Earthquakes & Tsunamis, News Headlines, Scientific Reports

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the Solomon Islands this morning, US seismologists said, but no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake struck at 8:05am (local time) at a depth of 54 kilometres about 260 kilometres east of the capital Honiara, according to the US Geological Survey.

Geoscience Australia said damage would have occurred within a 37-kilometre radius, but there were were no immediate reports of any destruction.

“It was too small to create a tsunami,” a Geoscience official said.

“Some small townships may have felt a moderate shake, but for most of the population it will have been just another quake. They have stacks of them out there.

“We’re 99.9 per cent sure there will be no damage.”

In 2007 a tsunami following an 8.1-magnitude earthquake killed at least 52 people in the Solomon Islands and left thousands homeless.

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