Ground teams to assess Solomons earthquake damage

Ground teams will on Tuesday try and assess exactly how many people are homeless after two earthquakes struck the Solomon Islands early on Monday.

After a reconnaissance flight over remote islands near the epicenter of the quakes officials reported that around 500 homes have been damaged or destroyed

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

The disaster Management Office spokesman says a patrol boat carrying water, food and tarpaulins has been sent from the capital Honiara to the worst affected areas of Rendova island and Marova Lagoon about 300 kilometres away.

The US Geological Survey says the quake struck about 103 kilometres from the island town of Gizo, the Solomons second largest city, early Monday and was measured at a depth of about 30 kilometres.

Rendova and Marova are both near Gizo.