Major 7.7-magnitude quake hits off Solomon Islands, tsunami threat: officials

SYDNEY: A major 7.7-magnitude quake struck Friday off the Solomon Islands, raising the threat of "widespread, hazardous" tsunami waves, officials said.

The US Geological Survey said some casualties and damage were possible from the quake, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said some coasts in the Solomons, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tuvalu and Kosrae could be affected within the next three hours.

The epicentre of the quake, which hit at 4:38 am (1738 GMT Thursday), was located 68 kilometres (42 miles) west of Kirakira, a provincial capital in the Solomon Islands, at a depth of 48 kilometres, USGS said.

"Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist," it added.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said waves reaching 1-3 metres above tide level could occur along parts of the Solomons.

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