Powerful Quake Near Solomon Islands Triggers Tsunami Warning

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit off the coast of the Solomon Islands has left the Pacific island region at risk of a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

"A tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter," the center said in a statement on its website.

The center said the potential tsunami waves could hit other small islands in the Pacific within the next three hours, including Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tuvalu and Kosrae.

Hawaii could also be at risk of seeing the tsunami waves, the center said, and any waves there would reach the island chain by 2:56 p.m. local time.

The center said it would issue hourly updates until the threat is over.