SYDNEY - Australia's hasty reaction to the threat of a tsunami that hit the Solomon Islands on Monday contrasted sharply with a lack of equipment and expertise in South Pacific nations, experts said yesterday.

SYDNEY - Australia's hasty reaction to the threat of a tsunami that hit the Solomon Islands on Monday contrasted sharply with a lack of equipment and expertise in South Pacific nations, experts said yesterday.

Australian officials were aware almost immediately of the abnormally large quake and predicted from its size and location that it might hit the country's east coast.

Beaches along Australia's east coast were quickly closed and ferries crossing Sydney Harbour stopped as officials awaited news.

But it took hours for any more information to reach Australian cities because of a lack of equipment and expertise in the South Pacific, experts said. - Sapa-AFP