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Powerful earthquake strikes off Solomon Islands Powerful earthquake strikes off Solomon Islands
(35 minutes later)
A powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake has struck off the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean, generating a "potentially destructive" tsunami.A powerful magnitude 8.0 earthquake has struck off the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean, generating a "potentially destructive" tsunami.
The quake struck at a depth of 5.8km (3.6 miles) near the Santa Cruz islands, part of the Solomon Islands nation, the US Geological Survey said. The quake struck at 01:12 GMT near the Santa Cruz islands, part of the Solomon Islands nation, the US Geological Survey said.
A tsunami warning was issued for the South Pacific islands by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.A tsunami warning was issued for the South Pacific islands by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.
The centre said the tsunami could be destructive near the epicentre.The centre said the tsunami could be destructive near the epicentre.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the Hawaii-based centre said."Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the Hawaii-based centre said.
"It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre and could also be a threat to more distant coasts.""It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre and could also be a threat to more distant coasts."
The warning was issued for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna islands. 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.
A tsunami watch was issued for other nations in the South Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.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.However, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology later said Australia was not at risk from a tsunami.
The quake struck at 01:12 GMT and France later 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. Evacuation
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.
The tsunami warning centre said a wave measuring 0.91m (3ft) had struck Lata Wharf in the Santa Cruz islands.The tsunami warning centre said a wave measuring 0.91m (3ft) had struck Lata Wharf in the Santa Cruz islands.
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 6.4 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.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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