DHAKA: A strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Solomon Islands early Saturday.

US geologists said the third major tremor to hit in three days, but there were no initial reports of damage and no tsunami warning was issued, reports the Times of India.

The quake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), 205 kilometres from Kirakira and 448 kilometres from the capital Honiara.

It is the third day in a row that the Solomons have been rocked by a quake of 6.0-magnitude or higher. A 6.0 magnitude quake struck the islands early Friday, and a 6.9 magnitude tremor the day before. No major damage was caused by the earlier tremors.

The Solomons are part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a zone of tectonic activity known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

BDST: 0942 HRS, MAY 23, 2015
BD/