The warning center says a tsunami is possible but not verified. If tsunami waves impact Hawaii, the estimated arrival of the first tsunami wave would be 2:56 p.m. Thursday, Hawaii time.
A watch is the lowest level of alert.
The U.S. Geological Survey says Thursday's 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred about 42 miles southwest of Kirakira, Solomon Islands. It had a depth of about 30 miles.
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