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Tsunami watch for Hawaii canceled after quake strikes off Solomon Islands

US Geological Survey via European Pressphoto Agency/HANDOUT

Hawaii was under a tsunami watch after a strong earthquake struck near the Solomon Islands Thursday.

The US Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake was a 7.7 magnitude temblor that struck about 42 miles west-southwest of Kirakira in the South Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands. Another earthquake of 5.5 magnitude was reported near the same location about 30 minutes later.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

A tsunami watch had been issued for Hawaii but was canceled about an hour later.

Internationally, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioned that tsunami waves were possible in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, and in the Federated States of Micronesia.

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A smaller earthquake — 2.9 magnitude — was reported near Waikoloa Village in Hawaii a few minutes before the Solomon Islands temblors.

Earthquakes were also reported off the coast of California throughout the day, though no tsunami warnings were issued for that state.

Hawaii is about 3,600 miles away from the Solomon Islands.

Map: Kirakira, the Solomon Islands


Material from the Associated Press was included and Rob DeCola of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Nicole Hernandez can be reached at nicole.hernandez@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @NRHSJax.