A tsunami warning is in place after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the Solomon Islands.

"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.

The Solomon Islands are on the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire', which is prone to frequent and large earthquakes.