Tsunami Warning Follows 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake Near Solomon Islands

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (AP) — A tsunami warning was issued Sunday for some Pacific islands following a powerful magnitude-7.6 earthquake near the Solomon Islands, which are about 1,000 miles northeast of Australia.

The United States Geological Service said the quake struck around 7:14 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was 200 miles southeast of Honiara, the Solomons' capital, and its depth was 18.2 miles.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The center said it's not known if the quake generated a tsunami but it was powerful enough to trigger one.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the temblor.

U.S. officials said there is no threat of a tsunami to the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington state, Hawaii or Alaska.

Director Paul Whitmore of the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska said powerful waves do not threaten the U.S. West Coast or Canada after the quake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said Hawaii isn't threatened after the earthquake's magnitude was downgraded from initial estimates.

The Solomon Islands lies on the "Ring of Fire" — an arc of earthquake and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.