An earthquake, measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, has shaken the Santa Cruz Islands, situated northeast of Australia.

No damage or casualties were reported from the Saturday temblor. A preliminary estimate had, however, put the quake’s strength at 7.5 and a tsunami threat message was issued, which was later cancelled.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that based on all data available "the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now mostly passed." "Minor sea level fluctuations of up to 0.3 meters above and below the normal tide may continue over the next few hours," it added.

The temblor hit at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles) and was centered undersea 75 kilometers (47 miles) northwest of Lata in the western Solomon Islands, where the Santa Cruz Islands are located. The Santa Cruz Islands are about 2,252 kilometers (1,400 miles) northeast of Brisbane.

In 2013, the Solomons were hit by a tsunami after an 8.0-magnitude quake, leaving at least 10 people dead and thousands homeless after buildings were destroyed.

More than 50 people were killed and thousands lost their homes in April 2007, when an 8.1-magnitude quake hit the western Solomon Islands, sending waves crashing into coastal villages.