6.9-magnitude quake strikes off Solomon Islands: USGS

Sydney: A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the Solomon Islands in the Pacific on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and no major damage was reported.

The quake hit at a depth of 19 kilometres (11 miles), 184 kilometres from Lata and 487 kilometres from the capital Honiara. It was followed a smaller 4.9-magnitude aftershock.
The Solomons are part of the “Ring of Fire”, a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Earlier this month, neighbouring Papua New Guinea was rattled by a 7.1 quake but there were no reports of major damage.

In 2013, the Solomons were hit by a tsunami after an 8.0-magnitude quake, leaving at least 10 people dead and thousands homeless after buildings were destroyed.