M6.8 earthquake - 79 km W of Kirakira, Solomon Islands

What happened

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck 79 km W of Kirakira, Solomon Islands on 23 Apr 2011, 04:16 UTC at a depth of 79 km.

Earthquakes of this size are classed as Strong. Can cause damage in populated areas up to tens of kilometres away. This was an intermediate-depth earthquake, so shaking is spread over a wider, gentler area.

The nearest town in our records is Malango, about 164 km away in Guadalcanal Province, Solomon Islands.