Hi All,

From the Times of India, this good report...Petra

Powerful quake rocks Solomon Islands

ELLINGTON: A strong earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.0 shook the Solomon Islands on Monday, the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation said.

It reported the sharp quake, which lasted about two minutes in the capital, Honiara, was felt in many parts of the more than 900 islands which make up the archipelagic nation in the Central Pacific northeast of Australia.

The quake was felt about 10:00 a.m. local time Monday morning (1900 GMT Sunday),

So far the broadcaster had no details on where the earthquake was located in the island chain.

Corporation news editor Johnston Honomai said by telephone that the sharp temblor had toppled shelves in offices, smashing bottles and other contents to the floor.

Staff in city buildings ran into the streets, but police were so far reporting no serious damage or injuries, he said.

The quake was followed by one sharp aftershock, Honomai reported.

"We have no reports of damage to buildings, and everything appears structurally sound," he told The Associated Press.

The radio station so far had no request from the Solomon's National Disaster Council to broadcast tsunami, or tidal wave, warnings after the quake.

"We have hundreds of low-lying islands, and (if a tsunami warning was issued) we would broadcast any warning," he added.

The Solomon Islands has a number of major quakes each year.

A magnitude 7 earthquake in a metropolitan area can cause a serious toll of death and major damage.
( AP )