A magnitude 7.8 quake struck off the Solomon Islands, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning.

The quake hit around 45 miles (70km) from the town of Kirakira, on the island of Makira.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center measured waves of up to 12cm about 30 minutes after the quake struck. An initial tsunami warning has been lifted.

Makira is an isolated community which has previously been hard hit by similar-sized earthquakes.

The main quake was 25 miles (40km) deep - deeper quakes are considered less dangerous.


The first quake was followed by several large aftershocks, the United States Geological Service said.

Slightly more powerful quakes in the islands in 2007 and 2013 killed 52 and nine people respectively.