23 May 2015

6.8 earthquake near Solomon Islands

10:37 am on 23 May 2015

The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck close to Solomon Islands.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at about 9.45am, and was 33km deep.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at about 9.45am, and was 33km deep. Photo: US Geological Survey

The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.9, struck before 9 this morning.

Its epicentre was located 224 kilometres east of Kira Kira at a depth of just 37 kilometres below the seabed.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says the quake had not triggered a tsunami.

On Thursday, a shallow 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the Santa Cruz islands.