There were no immediate reports of damage from the quake, which the United States Geological Survey said hit at 1:04 pm (0734 IST) at a depth of 13.5 kilometres southwest of the Solomons' Santa Cruz Islands.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an alert after the quake.
In 2007 a tsunami following an 8.1-magnitude earthquake killed at least 52 people in the Solomon Islands and left thousands homeless.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks