Environment

Solomon Islands Earthquakes Magnitude 6.5 & 7.2 No Tsunami Threat

by Scott Wu | January 3, 2010 at 04:02 pm

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The Solomon Islands archipelago was hit by two earthquakes within an hour apart. The first earthquake had a 6.5 magnitude, and the second one had a 7.2 magnitude. Warnings for local tsunami were issued, but there is no global threat.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology website, there is no tsunami threat to the Australian coastline. Solomon Islands archipelago are about 2,500 km east of Australia. Multiple strong earthquakes struck the same region back in October.

The quake hit at 9:36 a.m. local time about 103 kilometers (64 miles) south-southeast of Gizo, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The earthquake was 30.5 kilometers deep.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a 6.5-magnitude earthquake in the same area at 8:48 a.m. may cause local tsunamis that could be destructive along coasts within a few hundred kilometers of the epicenter.

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everchanging

at 00:32 on January 4th, 2010

Had another and another and another, etc...........

* 4.7 magnitude @ 23:04:09 UTC (01-03-2010)

* 5.3 magnitude @ 01:47:20 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 5.2 magnitude @ 02:08:13 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 5.7 magnitude @ 04:17:52 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 5.1 magnitude @ 05:41:20 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 5.3 magnitude @ 07:39:04 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 4.8 magnitude @ 07:58:32 UTC (01-04-2010)

Original earthquakes:

* 6.5 magnitude @ 21:48:46 UTC (01-03-2010)

* 7.2 magnitude @ 22:36:31 UTC (01-03-2010)

Updates via USGS - Map of Solomon Islands

everchanging

at 19:27 on January 3rd, 2010

Unconfirmed reports of property damage caused by possible tsunami waves on Tetepare Island.

Source: Radio New Zealand

"A police officer on the island told Reuters there have been no reports of casualties but there are unconfirmed reports of property damage caused by possible tsunami waves on Tetepare Island.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says sea-level readings indicate a tsunami was generated and it may have been destructive along coasts near the quakes' epicentre."