Magnitude 7.0 earthquake shocks Solomon Islands but no major damage

People gather outside shuttered stores in Honiara, Solomon Islands, following an earthquake (Charley Piringi/AP)

A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake rattled the Solomon Islands on Tuesday afternoon, overturning tables and sending people racing for higher ground.

There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or injuries, and an initial tsunami warning was withdrawn after the threat passed.