The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an offshore magnitude-4.5 earthquake south the Island of Hawaii at about 6:30 a.m. today. ADVERTISING The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an offshore magnitude-4.5 earthquake south the Island
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an offshore magnitude-4.5 earthquake south the Island of Hawaii at about 6:30 a.m. today.
According to Brian Shiro, HVO’s seismic network manager, the earthquake was centered about 37 miles south of Ka Lae (South Point) at a depth of 22.7 miles.
A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/.
Within an hour HVO received more than 50 reports from Big Islanders who felt the quake. Weak shaking was reported across the island. Damage to buildings or structures was not expected.
The earthquake occurred about 43 miles southwest of Lo‘ihi, and was not caused by activity in that submarine volcano. The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt.
The earthquake caused no detectable changes in Kilauea Volcano’s ongoing eruptions, on Mauna Loa, or at other active volcanoes on the Island of Hawaii.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
