Strong quake hits South Pacific off Solomon Islands

MELBOURNE, Australia

 A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the Solomon Islands on Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but no tsunami warning was issued.  

The epicenter was recorded 214 kilometers (133 miles) west of the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara, its depth measured at around 10 kilometers.

Radio New Zealand cited Honiara residents as saying the tremor shook some tall buildings and was followed by aftershocks.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a statement about the quake, saying that a “destructive pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii."