A major earthquake hit the Solomon Islands this morning at 0739 hr, local time. The magnitude 7.9 earthquake had a shallow epicentre (40 km depth) and hit 42 km east of Simbo volcano. a magnitude 6.7 earthquake was felt 8 minutes later. Simbo volcano showed signs of increasing activity in September 2006 after being quiet for almost a century. A tsunami warning was issued for Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Northeastern Australia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Fiji. A Tsunami watch was issued for Kermadec Islands north of New Zealand. There is a possible tsunami threat to Willis and Barrier Reef islands. There could also be effects at Cairns, Gladstone and Mackay.
More on Simbo Volcano...
About John Seach
- John Seach
- John Seach is a scientist and the world's leading volcano adventurer. Over the past 24 years John has traveled to the world's most exciting volcanoes, and witnessed eruptions during trips to more than 200 volcanoes. John's work has been featured on award winning television programmes. John is the founder of "Volcano Live", the world's first volcano news and volcano travel website.