Strong M6.0 earthquake hits Solomon Islands
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Solomon Islands at 13:49 UTC on January 29 (00:49 LT on January 30), 2020. The agency is reporting a depth of 86 km (53 miles). The EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 95 km (59 miles). This is the second M6+ earthquake to hit the region since M6.3 at 05:02 UTC on January 27.
The epicenter was located 71 km (44 miles) W of Kirakira (population 1 122) and 180 km (112 miles) SE of Honiara (population 56 298), Solomon Islands.
There are about 66 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
238 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
Selected cities exposed. Courtesy: USGS
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) construction.
This is the second M6+ earthquake to hit the Solomon Islands since M6.3 at 05:02 UTC on January 27:
Solomon Islands earthquakes in January 2020. Data source: USGS. Image credit: Google, TW/SAM
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM
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