Strong quakes hit Solomon Islands

Earthquakes is one of the natural phenomena made by nature.Solomon Islands hit strong quakes.

The magnitude 7.2 and 6.5 quakes struck close together around 9:48 p.m. EST and occurred around 55 miles south-southeast of the small island of Gizo, the U.S. Geological Survey and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centers said.

"There are no reports of casualties, but we have unconfirmed reports of property damage caused by possible tsunami waves on Tetepare island," Gizo police constable Macarthur Pania told Reuters.

The quakes occurred at depths of between 33 km (20.5 miles) and 36 km.

"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," said the Hawaii-based tsunami center in an emailed bulletin. "It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter."

The warning center said there was no wider tsunami threat to Pacific coastlines.

A large 8.1 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami struck Gizo in 2007, killing 52 people and leaving thousands homeless. The Solomons are part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where colliding continental plates frequently causes seismic activity.

Posted in: Strong quakes hit Solomon Islands