Islands in certain regions have been plagued by earthquakes on and off shore. Off shore earthquakes can sometimes be just as deadly due to their potential of unleashing huge tsunamis. These massive waves of water can do damage several miles inland. So even if you are inland quite a bit, you still may need to be really careful if you hear of a tsunami warning for the area. Islanders know that it is best to go as far inland as possible.

Just recently in the Solomon Island region, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit the area. It was off shore and sent residents in the region fleeing from the coast. Warnings or not, residents of the island know that if there is an earthquake, the disastrous effects of a tsunami may not be that far behind. These off shore earthquakes cause the land to shift and slide during an earthquake. So much land shifts that it causes a massive wave to be pushed out in many directions. The effects of the tsunami can be felt hundreds or more miles away.

So just because an earthquake is off shore, do not think that there is no cause for alarm. Keep in mind that off shore quakes can be just as dangerous.