Third strong quake in two weeks hits off Solomon Islands

The quake hit at 4.46 PM (1116 IST) at a depth of 39 kilometres about 83 kilometres west-northwest of Kirakira.

Sydney, Dec 18: A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the Solomon Islands today, the US Geological Survey said, the third strong tremor off the Pacific nation in less than two weeks. The quake hit at 4.46 PM (1116 IST) at a depth of 39 kilometres about 83 kilometres west-northwest of Kirakira, the USGS added. On December 10 a 6.9-magnitude quake struck off Kirakira.

The previous day a 7.7-magnitude tremor triggered severe shaking and a tsunami warning, although there were no reports of serious damage.

The Solomon Islands archipelago is located in the so-called Ring of Fire quake zone where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

PTI