The 2010 Solomon Islands earthquake occurred with a moment magnitude of 7.1 on January 3 at 22:36:28 (UTC). A tsunami measuring approximately affected some parts of the islands, while a maximum run-up height of was recorded. The earthquake was the largest in a series of quakes to strike the Solomon Islands over the preceding days. The 7.1 mainshock was preceded by a 6.6 magnitude foreshock some 48 minutes previous. As many as 1,000 people were left homeless on the island of Rendova after the earthquake and tsunami destroyed approximately 200 homes. Earthquake The shock was located southeast of Gizo, south west of Dadali, Santa Isabel and north west of Honiara, Guadalcanal. The earthquake was centered under the sea floor near the town of Gizo, which was heavily damaged in the 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake. Characteristic Analysis of trench deformation, tsunami run-up heights and wave height data from the ocean revealed that the earthquake was a slow-rupturing "tsunami earthquake". Such earthquakes rupture the upper 20 km portion of a subduction zone, while releasing less energy compared to an ordinary subduction zone earthquake. Effects Landslides and tsunamis on the islands of Rendova and Tetepare. A tsunami measuring up to struck Rendova, destroying as many as 200 homes and leaving one-third of Rendova's population homeless. A maximum runup of was recorded at Rendova Island. Approximately 1,000 residents have lost their residences, out of the total Rendovan population of just 3,600 people. The village of Retavo, which has a population of approximately 20 people, was hit by a 10-foot tsunami wave. Another village, Baniata, reported that sixteen homes were destroyed and thirty-two were damaged by the earthquake and tsunami. See also 2013 Solomon Islands earthquake List of earthquakes in 2010 List of earthquakes in the Solomon Islands archipelago References Further reading External links Quake Triggers Tsunami in Solomon Islands – Associated Press 2010 earthquakes Earthquake 2010 Solomon January 2010 events in Oceania Tsunami earthquakes 2010 tsunamis