Magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Solomon Islands

Very strong earthquake measuring M6.5 struck Solomon Islands on July 25, 2012 at 11:20 UTC. The epicenter was located 37 km (23 miles) SW of Honiara, Solomon Islands (9.721°S, 159.730°E) at depth of 22.9 km (14.2 miles).

The epicenter of the earthquake is very close to the coast of Guadalcanal Island. Honiara, the capital of the islands is at only 37 km and its residents are reporting a strong shaking. There was no tsunami alert issued for this event.

Solomon islands are used to very strong and massive earthquakes. Most of the epicenters are located out in the ocean but today’s earthquake is almost below the island itself. South of this epicenter is a very deep trench were 2 tectonic plates are subducting under each other. The earthquakes are triggered by the cumulated stress of one of the “hanging” plates.