Several people are reported dead following a major earthquake near the Solomon Islands which generated a tsunami that went on to cause damage to dozens of homes.
The United States Geological Survey reported an 8.0-magnitude earthquake occurred just after 8 p.m. EST Tuesday or early on Wednesday local time near Lata in Temotu province in the easternmost Solomon Islands.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for a three foot tsunami wave that was detected and measured in the Solomon Islands. The statement said the waves could be destructive near the epicenter and threaten more distant coasts.
The tsunami warning also covered Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, Wallis and Futuna. A tsunami watch was in effect for American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand and eastern Indonesia.
Solomons officials reported two 4-foot 11-inch waves hit the western side of Santa Cruz Island, damaging or destroying several hundred homes and properties, said George Herming, a spokesman for the prime minister.
Lata Hospital confirmed to ONE News that at least eight people were killed as a result of the tsunami.
More than 50 people were killed and thousands lost their homes in April 2007 when a magnitude 8.1 quake hit the western Solomon Islands, sending waves crashing into coastal villages.
The Solomons comprise more than 200 islands with a population of about 552,000 people.
They lie on the "Ring of Fire" an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim and where about 90 percent of the world's quakes occur.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck 50 miles west of Lata, at a depth of 3.6 miles.
The warning area did not include Hawaii and North and South America.
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