A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off the Solomon Islands on Friday, seismologists said, but no tsunami threat was issued.

The quake hit 154 kilometres (96 miles) southwest of Dadali and 170 kilometres west of the capital Honiara, according to the US Geological Survey. USGS had earlier measured the earthquake at 7.0 magnitude.

"Based on all available data a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.