More large earthquakes have occurred near the Solomon Islands, generating a 4th tsunami warning.

Over the past 24 hours, large earthquakes have continued to shake the Pacific Rim, sending out more tsunami warnings.

A 4th tsunami warning for the Pacific Islands was issued after a 8.3 magnitude quake struck at Kirakira, Solomon Islands 23 hours ago. Since my last post, April 10, 2014, the following quakes have occurred:

1. 5.3  Iquique, Chile (offshore)
2. 8.3  Kirakira, Solomon Islands (tsunami warning issued for Pacific Ocean)
3. 7.7  Kirakira, Solomon Islands
4. 5.7  Kirakira, Solomon Islands
5. 5.6  Kirakira, Solomon Islands
6. 5.3  Papua New Guinea
7. 5.9  Kirakira, Solomon Islands
8. 5.0  Kirakira, Solomon Islands

When an earthquake occurs, I record the initial magnitude reading from the Pacific Disaster Alert Center in Hawaii. You will notice that USGS typically lowers these magnitudes, but I maintain that the initial seismograph reading is the most accurate.

Several large earthquakes have caused tsunami flooding along the Pacific island coasts.

Sea level readings did indicate that a tsunami was generated along the coasts near the earthquake epicenter. If damaging waves subside after two hours of the quake, local authorities can assume that the tsunami threat has passed. A danger to boats and coastal structures remains for several hours after a large quake due to rapid currents.

You won’t hear much about these tsunamis on US mainstream news, but they are very important to the people living in these island regions.