Solomon Islands again struck by strong earthquake

The Pacific is again on high alert for Tsunami waves after another strong earthquake rocked the Solomon Islands on Saturday, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

A strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck approximately 100 kilometers west of Peka Island in the Solomons at 0610 AEDT at a depth of 88 kilometers, Geoscience Australia said in a statement.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake's epicentre was 90 kilometres west of provincial capital Kirakira, measuring a 6.9-magnitude shock at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially issued a Tsunami alert warning "hazardous tsunami waves" between one to three meters above high tide along the coastline, while waves up to 0.3 meters were forecasted for the wider Pacific islands. By 0850 AEDT, that threat had passed.

"Minor sea level fluctuations of up to 0.3 metres above and below the normal tide may continue over the next few hours for coasts near the epicentre," the center said in its final warning bulletin.

The Pacific was on high alert for a Tsunami on Friday after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in the same area, causing widespread damage on the island of Makira.

The Australian government said they are ready to provide assistance through their pre-positioned supplies should they be requested.

Earthquakes are common for the Pacific Islands which boarder the 4,000-kilometer-long Pacific Australia plate to form part of the "Ring of Fire," a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

-- BERNAMA