People who fled to the hills for safety in quake affected areas in Solomon Islands are yet to return to their homes as unusual tidal surges continue in the area.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck at about 4.30am local time, 70 kilometres off Kirakira, the capital of the Makira and Ulawa province in the country's south.
On the southern side of Makira Island facing the quakes epicentre there are reports of unusual tidal surges with reports in some places of people collecting fish washed up on shore by high waves.
A nurse at Ngarigohu Clinic in South Arosi Hedson Taro said people in his village were shaken awake by the quake and everyone just ran for the hills.
Mr Taro said initially the sea rose and pulled canoes out to sea and has since continued to surge in and out leaving coral reefs totally exposed between surges.
"The sea just swelled up in and then it has also dried out. It happened several times. Currently the reefs are dry we are still waiting for the sea to come back in. Those that are brave they are on the reef now they caught some fish. The majority of people are still up in the hills."
He said people in his area have not managed to access radio warnings but have been keeping abreast of things via mobile phones.
