There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami warning was issued. The GeoSciences Australia agency said a quake that strong could cause damage within 23 miles (37 kilometers).

The 9:05 a.m. (2205 Wednesday GMT) quake was 33.9 miles (54.5 kilometers) deep and the epicenter was 17 miles (27 kilometers) northeast of Kira Kira in the Solomon Islands, the USGS said.