Powerful quake hits off Papua New Guinea
A powerful but deep quake has hit between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Initial reports said it was magnitude 8 - though the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre was reporting it as magnitude 8.4.
The quake was more than 150km deep. It struck 47km west of Arawa on Paupa New Guinea's Bougainville island.
We are currently assessing whether the 8.0M earthquake near the Solomon Islands poses any tsunami threat to New Zealand.
— Emergency Mgmt NZ (@NZCDEM) January 22, 2017
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management was assessing if there was any threat to New Zealand, however its Auckland branch said there was no need for evacuation yet.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/88661769/powerful-quake-hits-solomon-islands