4.3 Magnitude Earthquake NW of Captain Cook

The 4.3 magnitude earthquake near Captain Cook on July 22 is indicated by the larger blue dot on the west side of Hawai‘i Island.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a magnitude-4.3 earthquake beneath the Hawaiʻi Island on Friday, July 22, 2016, at 9:16 p.m., HST.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center determined that no damaging tsunami was generated.

According HVO, the earthquake was centered about 5.4 km (3.3 miles) northwest of Captain Cook at a depth of 11.5 km (7.1 miles).

The USGS “Did you feel it?” website received more than 400 felt reports within one hour of the earthquake. Most of these felt reports were from the west side of the Island of Hawaiʻi, which is consistent with the location and depth of the earthquake. Most reports described light shaking (Intensity IV). At that intensity, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.

As of 10:30 p.m., one small aftershock was recorded.

During the past 30 years, there have been three earthquakes, including tonight’s event, with magnitudes greater than 4.0 and at depths of 5–15 km (3–9 miles) in the Kealakekua area of West Hawaiʻi.

Earthquakes at this depth off the west coast of the Island of Hawaiʻi are typically caused by abrupt motion on the boundary between the old ocean floor and the volcanic material of the island, and are not directly tied to volcanic activity.

According to HVO’s Scientist-in-Charge, Christina Neal, the earthquake had no apparent effect on Kīlauea Volcano’s ongoing eruptions.

For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website.