Tsunami alert as magnitude 7 earthquake hits Solomon Islands

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the Solomon Islands on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a tsunami warning.

There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or injuries.

The quake’s epicenter was in the ocean about 56 kilometers (35 miles) southwest of the capital, Honiara, at a depth of 13 kilometers (8 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey.