M8.3 quake strikes south of Kirakira, Solomon Islands

NEW YORK - An earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale jolted 102 kilometers south of Kirakira, Solomon Islands, at 20:14:37 GMT Saturday, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicenter of the 8.3-magnitude quake, with a depth of 10.0 km, was initially determined to be at 11.3 degrees south latitude and 162.3 degrees east longitude.

This powerful quake was followed by another earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale in the vicinity two seconds later.

No further details as for damage are known immediately.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has renewed its tsunami alert for three countries of Solomon islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea in the wake of the big quakes, according to a latest statement posted at the center's website.