WELLINGTON, New Zealand >> A powerful earthquake has struck in waters off the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami is expected.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach says a tsunami was not expected.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.9 quake struck Saturday about 100 miles southeast of the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara, at a depth of 50 miles, at 3:15 p.m. Saturday (6:15 p.m. Friday, Hawaii time).

The Solomon Islands is a country of nearly 1,000 islands that lie on the “Ring of Fire” — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim.