AP: A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands generated a tsunami that has reportedly damaged dozens of homes in the South Pacific island chain. Meanwhile, authorities have canceled warnings for tsunamis on more distant coasts.
Reuters:
A tsunami warning has been issued for several South Pacific islands after a major earthquake measuring 8.0 magnitude struck off the Solomon Islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii says.
The warning was issued for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna islands.
A tsunami watch has also been issued for the rest of the South Pacific nations, including Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also reports that sea level readings show a tsunami generated after the earthquake.
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Strong earthquake off Guatemala felt as far as Mexico City
Update, 3:21 pm ET: Guatemalan president says preliminary reports indicate 15 dead in 7.4 quake. (Associated Press)
BBC News: At least 8 people have been reported dead after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Guatemala’s Pacific coast. Guatemala’s president has declared a national alert and advised people to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution. Officials say roads have been buried in landslides.
Earthquake-damaged Washington Monument may be closed into 2014
The earthquake-damaged Washington Monument could remain closed into 2014, the National Park Service said, and its repairs will require the exterior and part of the interior of the 555-foot structure to be shrouded in scaffolding.
Photo: The Washington Monument sits on one end of the National Mall, with the Capitol on the other end in Washington, DC. (Andy Dunaway / USAF via Getty Images)
Factories collapse as 2nd big quake hits northern Italy
Msnbc.com: A magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook northern Italy on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, killing at least 8 according to Italian news reports. The quake was the 2nd in the region in just over a week. The United States Geological Survey says the quake was centered 25 miles northwest of Bologna.
Photo: Firefighters search the debris of a collapsed factory in Mirandola, northern Italy, after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck on May 29, 2012. (Marco Vasini / AP via msnbc.com)
Breaking News: 7.3 earthquake hits Eastern Turkey. Buildings leveled and “many killed” in the Van province. (Video by Atatuerk1938)
From this vantage point, it appears at least two spires on Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral were damaged by the quake.
There’s very little damage to report from the East Coast quake. This clip of several cars crushed from falling bricks seems to be among the worst of it. (From PaulDonovan08 on YouTube)
