Powerful earthquake off Solomon Islands

The 7.7 earthquake struck off the Solomon Islands coastline at 6.38am. Photo: USGS

UPDATED: 8.35AM: The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has cancelled the tsunami threat advisory for New Zealand.

A coastal warning was issued this morning following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake off of Kirakira in the Solomon Islands at 6.38am.

UPDATED 7:50AM:

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has issued a Tsunami Potential Threat advisory in all New Zealand coastal areas.

The warning follows a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake which stuck about 70km off of Kirakira in the Solomon Islands at 6.38am.

MCDEM says the potential threat is for marine and beach areas only and will remain in effect until the advisory is either upgraded to a tsunami warning or cancelled.

'MCDEM and scientific advisors are in the process of assessing the situation to determine the severity of the threat to New Zealand,” a spokesperson says in a statement.

People in coastal areas are being warned that strong tsunami currents and surges are possible and to stay away from beaches and waterways.

'Civil defence staff are assessing the risk locally and we will update you when we have more information. Please follow any instructions from emergency services.”

EARLIER:

A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake has rocked the Solomon Islands and prompted a tsunami alert for much of the South Pacific.

The powerful earthquake was centred about 70km south-west off Kirakira at a depth of 40km and struck at 6.38am, reports the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake was initially estimated to be 8.0 in magnitude but has since been downgraded to 7.7.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible along some coasts of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tuvalu And Kosrae.

Posting to Twitter, GeoNet say the tsunami experts panel has been activated to assess any threat to New Zealand.

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3 comments

Tsunami Warnings

Posted on 09-12-2016 09:06 | By flyingtoaster

Civil Defense warning system still needs improvement.This morning.....Earthquake at 6:38amtxt msg 7:50am from CD Advising potential threattxt msg 8:21am from CD Advising potential threatwebsite 8:32am Civil defense cancelled threattxt msg 8:56am from CD Advising threat cancelled.


Slack warning system

Posted on 09-12-2016 09:35 | By flyingtoaster

This article was publishied online, 20 mins before the Civil Defense text message alerts were sent.Alerts should be first.


40km

Posted on 09-12-2016 18:20 | By Capt_Kaveman

could tell you already its to deep, to be a risk they need to be 15km anything at 10km or less is an extreme risk


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