7.6 Magnitude Quake Off Solomon Islands Triggers Tsunami Warning

SOLOMON ISLANDS (CBS) -- U.S. officials say there is no threat of a tsunami to the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii or Alaska after a magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean near the Solomon Islands.

Director Paul Whitmore of the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska said powerful waves don't threaten the U.S. West Coast or Canada after the quake hit after noon Pacific time.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii says Hawaii isn't threatened after the earthquake's magnitude was downgraded from initial estimates.

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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the warning for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck around 7:15 local time was 62 miles south-southeast of the island of Kirakira.

Originally estimated at magnitude-8.3, it was downgraded twice.

On January 3, 2010 a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Solomon Islands triggering a 10 foot tsunami in some parts of the islands.

That quake destroyed some 200 homes and left 1000 people homeless on the island of Rendova.

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• Earthquakes
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