8.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Santa Cruz Islands: wipes out three villages

February 5, 2013 – SOLOMON ISLANDS - An earthquake measuring 8.0 magnitude struck southeast of the Solomon Islands on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. ABC News.net reports three villages were wiped out on the Santa Cruz Islands. The earthquake struck at the fairly shallow depth of 28.7 km (17.8 miles), and a tsunami warning was issued for the region. This is the second largest earthquake to ever strike the Solomon Island region and the strongest to hit the region in almost 40 years. The largest earthquake to ever strike the region was an 8.1 magnitude earthquake that struck 104 km from Honiara Makira, Solomon Islands on April 21, 1977. However, today’s 8.0 magnitude earthquake was some 581 km (361 miles) ESE of Honiara, Solomon Islands and represents a new geologically-agitated tension spot. The quake was followed by two powerful aftershocks, a 6.4 and 6.6. This is now the ninth major earthquake to strike this region since January 31, 203. –The Extinction Protocol – ABC