Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Northwest of Solomon Islands

YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS: A 7.0-magnitude earthquake has occurred inthe South Pacific, about78 kilometers (48 miles) northwest ofLata, the capital ofSolomon Islands’ Temotu Province, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reports. Armenpress informs, citing RIA Novosti that the epicenter ofthe quake, which hit the region atabout 02:30 GMT onSaturday, was located ata depth of10 kilometers (6.2 miles), USGS said.

There was no immediate information ofcasualties or damage followingthe quake.

The tsunami threat fromthe earthquake has "mostly passed," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said ina Saturday statement, adding that "any remaining threat should be evaluated bylocal authorities inimpacted areas."

PTWC did warn ofminor sea level fluctuations ofup to0.3 meters (about 1 foot) aboveand belowthe normal tide.

The Solomon Islands are located inthe so-called Ring ofFire quake zone— a strip ofvolcanoes and tectonic faults inthe basin ofthe Pacific Ocean withone ofthe highest levels ofvolcanic and seismic activity inthe world.

Last week seismologists fromthe US Geological Survey reported a 6.5 magnitude earthquake about170 kilometers west ofthe Solomon Islands' capital Honiara withno casualties.