Tsunami Ravages Solomon Islands

[LaoPo]

Sorry, not Thailand related, but still...

Tsunami ravages Solomon Islands

A tsunami has swept ashore in the Solomon Islands following a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific Ocean, police said.

A police spokesman told the AFP news agency there were reports of damage, but not yet of casualties.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also issued warnings for Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea, as well as some smaller Pacific islands.

The quake measured 7.6 and hit at 0740 local time on Monday (2040 GMT Sunday).

It struck 345km (215 miles) north-west of the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara, north-east of Australia, the US Geological Survey said, at a depth of 10km (six miles) below the surface.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6516759.stm

LaoPo

[peter991]

Another update - news just in.

Surf report for Coolum, NE Queensland (Australia)

Peter

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Australia was unaffected ( in the end ) Lots of media comment I believe, and warnings. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Jai Dee]

7.8-magnitude earthquake in Solomon Islands will not affect Thailand

The Meteorological Department reports that an earthquake trembled near the Solomon Islands at about at 03:40 hours today (Apr 2). The earthquake was measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.

The center of the earthquake was at 8.2 degrees South and 136 degrees East. The Meteorological Department says the earthquake may cause tsunamis in nearby areas. However, it will not affect Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2007

[LaoPo]

At least 12 people have died in the Solomon Islands after a tsunami swept ashore following a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific.

The quake measured 8.0 and hit at 0740 local time on Monday (2040 GMT Sunday).

Reports coming in of damage to outlying villages on other islands include:

300 houses destroyed in Sasamungga village on Choiseul island

four people missing on Mono island

waves seen 200 metres inland on Simbo island

Ranunga island also hit

bodies seen floating in the sea

Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo.

From:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6516759.stm

Gizo at centre of tsunami fears

From:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6517885.stm

LaoPo