An initial 7.0-magnitude undersea earthquake approximately 53 kilometres south-west of the capital Honiara was followed by a series of aftershocks, including one which recorded at 6.0.

Locals were advised to move to higher ground after a tsunami warning which followed the earthquakes, but this was later dropped by the Solomon Islands' meteorological services, and there have been no reported deaths or injuries.

Reuters reported that the ceiling of Honiara International Airport suffered some damage, and that the impacted section of the terminal was closed to passengers, while according to The Solomon Times power was cut for most of the capital city.

The Solomon Islands' permanent representative to the United Nations Collin Beck shared images showing the impact on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations.

The earthquake is not expected to impact preparations for the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games.

Organising Committee acting executive director Christian Nieng told insidethegames: "The earthquake did not do much damage in terms of our new sports facilities that are under construction which are built to withstand the destructive force of earthquakes and cyclones. 

"Preliminary reports received is that there are no damage and so the impact of the earthquake will not affect the 2023 Pacific Games preparations."

The Solomon Islands are part of the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire, a region where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent occurrences.

The country has never previously held the Pacific Games.

The multi-sport event is scheduled for November 19 to December 2 next year having been postponed by four months to allow more preparation due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says this means the country cannot hold a general election in 2023 and has had his term extended beyond the constitutional limit of four years in a move critics say is a power grab and undemocratic.

Sogavare recently promised that all venues would be completed by July.