Hicran
January 4, 2010

The western Pacific was hit hard by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake this morning at 9.36 AM close by to the Solomon Islands.

The quake, which struck at 22.36 GMT Sunday night, had a centre located 103kms from the island of Gizo to the southeast.

The US Geological Survey is reporting that the quake had followed a previously recorded earthquake of 6.5 in magnitude. The first quake which is believed to have set off the second, larger quake, struck at 8.48 AM local time and 21.48 GMT and was centered in the same area.
So far, in the wake of the quake, there have been no immediate tsunami warnings issued. Thus far, there have been few reports of damages or injuries to locals and tourists, although reports are still being updated at this time.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that there is no tsunami concern and that they are not expecting to see one appear in the wake of the quake. The Solomon islands are located just 2,500kms from Australia towards the east and are in the famed Pacific “Ring of Fire” which is known for its increasing seismic activity.

In April three years ago, the same island of Gizo saw a 8.1 magnitude earthquake which damaged the island’s infrastructure badly and killed at least 50 people. The quake in 2007 was also followed by a tsunami, although no tsunami is expected to generate this time.