At least 500 homes damaged in Solomons quake

The National Disaster Management Office said it was possible thousands of people could be homeless, but an exact assessment could not be made until ground parties arrived on Tuesday.

"There are 500 homes that have been affected but not all have been totally destroyed," Disaster Management Office spokesman Julian Makaa told AFP.

The average home in the Solomon Islands would house four-to-five people.

Despite the damage to property, and a small tsunami generated by the earthquake, only a few minor injuries were reported.

A patrol boat carrying water, food and tarpaulins was dispatched from the capital Honiara for the worst affected areas of Rendova island and Marova Lagoon about 300 kilometres (180 miles) away, Makaa said.