An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 hit off the Solomon Islands at 1738 GMT on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said. 

The quake was initially reported to be of magnitude 8.0.

"Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within the next three hours along some coasts of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tuvalu and Kosrae," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.