This is a developing story. This post will be updated as more information becomes available.
The earthquake was initially classed as an 8.0 magnitude quake by the U.S. Geological Service but has since been reduced to a 7.8 on the Moment-Magnitude scale, according to the Washington Post.
According to the USGS, the earthquake hit less than 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) off the island of Makira and 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) southwest of the island’s city of Kirakira, around 4:38 a.m. local time Friday (12:38 p.m. ET Thursday).
CNN is reporting the tsunami warning is forecasting waves to be one to three meters (three to 10 feet) above tidal levels along some coasts of the Solomon Islands, with waves under one meter above tidal levels possible along the coasts of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
Tali Hong, a resident of the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara, on Guadalcanal Island about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of the epicenter, said, “The earthquake was one of the biggest and longest I have ever felt. I was born here in Honiara and lived here most of my life.”
“I’m located in central Honiara, in one of the big urban areas. Just checked with my neighbors and surrounding area; there is not visible damage. However, we have no electricity at the moment.”
Richard Konari, a receptionist at the capital’s Heritage Park Hotel said the earthquake awakened many guests but there doesn’t appear to be any damage, so far. “I have not seen any damage, but the feeling was like nothing I’ve experienced,” Konari said. “It was a more powerful feeling than I’ve felt in the past.”