Residents in Solomon Islands were hit by powerful aftershocks following a magnitude-7.8 earthquake which struck 130 kilometres from the capital Honiara.

Authorities are starting to receive reports of damage from the earthquake, with police saying they had been told 35 houses were damaged on the island of Makira, including the police barracks at the provincial capital Kirakira.

The quake triggered widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific, before the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the threat had largely passed.

Most of the buildings damaged were reportedly traditional-style houses. As yet, there are no confirmed reports of casualties.

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