Quake hit Solomon and generated 5-feet-tall tsunami

A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands generated a tsunami of about 5 feet that damaged dozens of homes in the South Pacific island chain on Wednesday.

Authorities however cancelled warnings for tsunamis on more distant coasts.

Solomons officials reported two 4 foot, 11-inch waves hit the western side of Santa Cruz Island, damaging around 50 homes and properties, said George Herming, a spokesman for the Prime Minister. There were no reports of injuries or deaths.

Villagers were heading for higher ground as a precaution, Herming said.

The tsunami formed after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake near Lata in Temotu province, the easternmost province of the Solomons.

The Pacific tsunami Warning Centre said a tsunami of about 3 feet was measured in Lata wharf, in the Solomon Islands. The centre said an 11-centimetre wave was observed in neighbouring Vanuatu.