A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 struck near the  Pacific’s Solomon Islands, sparking a tsunami alert for much of the region.

A tsunami warning is in effect for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua  New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati and Wallis and Futuna.  A tsunami watch is in effect for numerous other areas.

There were no immediate reports of damage or fatalities.

Source: Fox News – Tsunami warning issued in Pacific after magnitude 8.0 quake near Solomon Islands