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Further reading
Dinnen (2002) ‘Winners and losers: politics and disorder in the Solomon Islands
2000-2002’, The Journal of Pacific History, Vol.37, No.3, pp.285-98.
Fraenkel, J (2004) The Manipulation of Custom: from uprising to intervention in
the Solomon Islands, Pandanus Books, Sydney
Moore, C (2004) Happy Isles in Crisis: the historical hauses for a failing state
in Solomon Islands, 1998-2004, Asia Pacific Press, Canberra
Kabutaulaka, T (2001) ‘Beyond ethnicity: the political economy of the
Guadalacanal crisis in Solomon Islands’, SSGM Working Paper 01/1
Sport
The Solomon Islands national football team made history by becoming the first
team to beat New Zealand into qualifying for a play-off spot against Australia
for qualification to the World Cup 2006. They were soundly beaten 7-0 in
Australia and 2-1 at home.
2007 earthquake and tsunami
2007 Solomon Islands earthquake and tsunami
On 2 April 2007, the Solomon Islands were struck by a major earthquake followed
by a large tsunami. Initial reports indicated that the tsunami, which mainly
affected the small island of Gizo, was several metres in height (perhaps as high
as 10 metres (39 ft) according to some reports, 5 metres (16 1/3 ft) according
to the Foreign Office). The tsunami was triggered by an 8.1 magnitude
earthquake, with an epicenter 217 miles (349 km) northwest of the island's
capital, Honiara, at exactly Lat -8.453 Long 156.957 and at a depth of 10
kilometres (6.2 miles).
According to the United States Geologic Survey the earthquake struck at 20:39:56
UTC on Sunday, 1 April 2007. Since the initial event and up until 22:00:00 UTC
on Wednesday, 4 April 2007, more than 44 aftershocks of a magnitude of 5.0 or
greater were recorded in the region.
The death toll from the resulting tsunami was at least 52 people, and the
tsunami destroyed more than 900 homes and has left thousands of people homeless.
Land thrust from the quake has extended out from the shoreline of one island,
Ranongga, by up to 70 meters (230 ft) according to local residents. This has
left many once pristine coral reefs exposed on the newly formed beaches.
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