Strong 6.0-Magnitude Quake Hits Solomon Islands
A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the Solomon Islands early Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, but there were no initial reports of damage and no tsunami warning was issued.
The quake hit at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 56 kilometers from the capital Honiara.
It came a day after a 6.9-magnitude quake struck off the coast, followed by a smaller 4.9-magnitude aftershock. No major damage had been expected from the earlier tremors.
The Solomons are part of the "Ring of Fire", a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Earlier this month, neighbouring Papua New Guinea was rattled by a 7.1-quake but a tsunami threat passed and there were no reports of major damage.
In 2013, the Solomons were hit by a tsunami after an 8.0-magnitude quake, leaving at least 10 people dead and thousands homeless after buildings were destroyed.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/179693 |