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Solomons Islands Quakes damages 500 homes

by everchanging | January 4, 2010 at 02:51 am

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In series of twelve (12) earthquakes over 26 hours from 7.2 magnitude to 4.7 magnitude in the Solomon Islands region of the Pacific Ocean, upward of 500 homes have been damaged and a small "local" tsunami waves was created by the 7.2 quake. The damage is still being assessed by local officials, while property damages seems great or extensive, reports are stating that personnel injuries are minimum or small considering the magnitude of the quakes and that it was day time in the region.

""There are 500 homes that have been affected but not all have been totally destroyed," Disaster Management Office spokesman Julian Makaa told AFP after officials took a reconnaissance flight over remote islands near the epicentre."

"A patrol boat carrying water, food and tarpaulins was dispatched from the capital Honiara for the worst affected areas of Rendova island and Marova Lagoon about 300km away, Makaa said." Source: The Sydney morning Herald

"The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said sea level measurements taken off Honiara indicated a tsunami of 6 centimeters (0.2 feet) was generated. Source: Bloomberg

~ ~ Update: "Loti Yates, the director of the Solomon Islands Disaster Management Office, stated:

"The quake frightened a lot of people into running away from their coastal villages," and fleeing for higher ground Yates said. He added that landslides had occurred on Rendova and Tetepare islands following the 7.2 quake and an earlier 6.5 tremor.

"We are still waiting for the latest reports since the survey of the area yesterday," Yates said. The office said damage was caused by the earthquakes and a tsunami of up to eight feet (almost 2.5 metres), according to officials in the region. Source: The Sydney morning Herald

Other info in the region (below):

Current time and weather conditions at Honiara, Solomon Islands

~ ~ The magnitude and times of the earthquakes below from first to last as of 2010-01-04 ~ ~

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

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

* 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)

* 5.8 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)

* 6.1 magnitude @ 11:28:24 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 5.4 magnitude @ 14:24:22 UTC (01-04-2010)

* 5.1 magnitude @ 23:25:14 UTC (01-04-2010)

It is also interesting to note the south Pacific region has had two other earthquakes in Tonga (4.9 magnitude) and Fuji (5.2 magnitude) both to the southeast of the Solomon Islands.

Also see related stories on Nowpublic:

Solomon Islands Earthquakes Magnitude 6.5 & 7.2 No Tsunami Threat

Solomon islands Hit by 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake, Local Tsunami

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everchanging

at 04:08 on January 4th, 2010

These earthquakes are all happening along a fault line in the South Pacific and these series of earthquakes that have occurred today are known as swarm quakes. This region it seems is not going to get any rest from the earth for the moment.

Uwe Paschen

at 05:38 on January 4th, 2010

Great work everchanging.

everchanging

at 13:27 on January 4th, 2010

Thank you, Paschen.

Scott Wu

at 10:35 on January 4th, 2010

Thanks for the update everchanging!

Curt (not verified)

at 11:29 on January 4th, 2010

Interesting. Perhaps the Lord is shaking the earth in anticipation of his return.

Maranatha (not verified)

at 12:06 on January 4th, 2010

I agree Curt, I think the end times birth pains are increasing.

everchanging

at 13:58 on January 4th, 2010

Perhaps, Curt - yet it's reality that the ground (earth) these people and everyone stands on does act up, shake and move every once in awhile. To some these earth movements (events) are being watched closely for signs of pre-predicted events, does this mean that anyone and everyone should not be told of theses events so they can hide or close their eyes to what is really going on, on this day or any another given day?

I do not believe so, otherwise we would be no better then those whom "choose" to wait for someone or something to happen - instead of taking action and making changes in ourselves and or others in order to make this world a better place for ourselves or others along with the future generations to be. Be it what it is and that right now is fact and reality! People are hurt, shaken, scared and on edge within this region of the world and most effected by todays earthquakes have no homes or shelter to feel safe and that is the truth.

One thing everyone can do, is send good positive thoughts to those within the region. Thanks