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Quake off Solomon Islands triggers tsunami Quake off Solomon Islands triggers tsunami
(35 minutes later)
A small tsunami hit the eastern Solomon Islands after a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings for several Pacific nations. A tsunami has hit the eastern Solomon Islands after a powerful earthquake that briefly triggered tsunami warnings for several Pacific nations.
The quake struck at 01:12 GMT near the Santa Cruz islands, part of the Solomon Islands nation, the US Geological Survey said. The magnitude 8.0 quake struck at 01:12 GMT near the Santa Cruz islands, part of the Solomon Islands nation, the US Geological Survey said.
A tsunami measuring 0.9m (3ft) subsequently hit Lata in the far eastern Solomons.A tsunami measuring 0.9m (3ft) subsequently hit Lata in the far eastern Solomons.
The centre said the tsunami could be destructive near the epicentre. Reports suggested that a number of homes had been damaged in the area.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the Hawaii-based centre said. "The wave went 500m inland, and at this stage I was told that three villages were basically damaged," Robert Iroga, press secretary to the Solomons prime minister, told the BBC.
"It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre and could also be a threat to more distant coasts." "Houses were brought down, and the authorities were unable to ascertain as to what the damage was like because they were also running up to the mountains, up to the hills."
Initial reports by the USGS said the quake had a shallow depth of 5.8km (3.6 miles) but it later revised the figure to 28.7km (17.8 miles).Initial reports by the USGS said the quake had a shallow depth of 5.8km (3.6 miles) but it later revised the figure to 28.7km (17.8 miles).
The tsunami warning was issued for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna islands. Tsunami warnings were issued for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna islands, but later cancelled.
A tsunami watch was issued for other nations in the South Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. However, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology later said Australia was not at risk from a tsunami. "No tsunami threat exists for other coastal areas although some may experience small sea level changes," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
France issued a tsunami warning for its New Caledonia territory, saying that the wave could strike at about 03:00 GMT. Residents near the coast were being advised to evacuate.
Irene Scott, a reporter with Paoa FM on the Solomon Islands, told the BBC there were reports of houses being inundated in eastern Temotu province, but no serious damage or injuries.
The Solomon Islands form part of the Ring Of Fire, a zone of volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches encircling the Pacific basin.The Solomon Islands form part of the Ring Of Fire, a zone of volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches encircling the Pacific basin.
The 8.0 earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, the largest measuring 6.6 magnitude.The 8.0 earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, the largest measuring 6.6 magnitude.
The region has been experiencing a series of smaller quakes in recent days.The region has been experiencing a series of smaller quakes in recent days.
In 2007 an 8.1 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed at least 52 people in the Solomons and left thousands homeless.In 2007 an 8.1 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed at least 52 people in the Solomons and left thousands homeless.
Are you in the region? Have you been issued with the tsunami warning? You can contact the BBC using the form below.Are you in the region? Have you been issued with the tsunami warning? You can contact the BBC using the form below.
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