A massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck in the South Pacific, rocking the Solomon Islands close by and sparking fears of a tsunami with hazardous waves possible, up to a metre higher than normal.
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Authorities in the Solomon Islands said no tsunami warning would be issued after two earthquakes on Tuesday afternoon, including one with a magnitude of 7.0 just off the southwest coast.
The first quake hit at a depth of 15 km (9 miles), about 16 km (10 miles) southwest of the area of Malango, said the United States Geological Survey, which had initially put its magnitude at 7.3.
A second quake, with a magnitude of 6.0, struck nearby 30 minutes later.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said there is no tsunami threat to the country, but warned about unusual sea currents in coastal areas.
“People are also advised to be vigilant as aftershocks are expected to continue,” an employee said on social media.
Widespread power outages are being reported across the island and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting said in a statement on Facebook that all radio services were off air.
The National Disaster Management Office said it has received reports that people felt the quake but are waiting for reports of damage.
“People in Honiara moved up to higher ground in the minutes after the earthquake but some have now moved down,” an official told Reuters by phone.
Seismology Fiji said the quake did not pose an immediate tsunami threat to the archipelago nation roughly 2,000 km to the southeast.
(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Writing by Alasdair Pal and Lewis JacksonEditing by Tom Hogue)
There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or injuries from the earthquake.
Freelance journalist Charley Piringi said he was standing outside a warehouse next to a primary and a secondary school on the outskirts of the capital, Honiara, when the quake struck, sending the children running.
“The earthquake rocked the place,” he said. “It was a huge one. We were all shocked, and everyone is running everywhere.”
Hazardous waves are possible for islands in the region, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, but it advised there was no wider tsunami threat expected.
The earthquake may produce waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) above tide levels for the Solomon Islands, the center said, and smaller waves for the coasts of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
The Solomon Islands sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a arc along the Pacific Ocean rim where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.
Buildings damaged and power lost after earthquakes hit Solomon Islands
Buildings were left damaged and widespread power outages reported in the Solomons Island capital, Honiara, after two earthquakes struck just off the south-west coast on Tuesday.
The first magnitude 7.0 earthquake briefly triggered a tsunami warning from the United States Geological Survey, but this warning was withdrawn soon after.
A second quake, with a magnitude of 6.0, struck nearby 30 minutes later.
Power was out in some areas of Honiara and Solomon Islands Broadcasting said in a statement that all radio services were off air.
The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the roof of the Australian high commission annexe in Honiara had collapsed, “which points to likely damage throughout the city”.
“We have contacted prime minister Sogavare to once again indicate Australia stands ready to assist.”
Albanese said all staff of the Australian high commission were safe, but confirmed the safety of all Australians in Solomon Islands was difficult because telecommunications had been disrupted.
The quake near Malango was shallow, with a depth of 10km, the USGS said.
People reported violent shaking that threw televisions and other items to the ground.
Freelance journalist Charley Piringi said he was standing outside a warehouse next to a primary and a secondary school on the outskirts of the capital, Honiara, when the quake struck, sending the children running.
“The earthquake rocked the place,” he said. “It was a huge one. We were all shocked, and everyone is running everywhere.”
The nation’s attorney general, John Muria, posted images on social media of office files spilled from large metal filing cabinets.
“This was a big one,” Joy Nisha, a receptionist at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, told the AFP news agency. “Some of the things in the hotel fell. Everyone seems OK, but panicky.”
An AFP reporter in the capital said the shaking lasted for about 20 seconds.