7.9 magnitude earthquake hits Solomon Islands; tsunami warning issued for Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea

The Solomon Islands, independent from Great Britain since 1976, cover a land area the size of Massachussetts. The capital, Honiara, is on the island of Guadalcanal, scene of fierce WWII fighting.
     U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake struck at about 7:15 am, tomorrow, April 13th about 62 miles southeast of Kirakira at a depth of 18.2 miles. (The nation is on the other wide of the International Date Line)