Quake Rumbles Southeast of Nā‘ālehu

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, or HVO, recorded a magnitude-4.9 earthquake located on Kamaʻehuakanaloa (Lō‘ihi) volcano, south of the Island of Hawai‘i on Friday, Dec. 24, at 1:32 a.m. The earthquake was centered about 26 miles southeast of Nā‘ālehu, at a depth of 7.5 miles.

There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

According to HVO Scientist-in-Charge, Ken Hon, the earthquake was preceded by over 50 small earthquakes on the south rift zone of Kamaʻehuakanaloa over the past two weeks. It is unknown as to whether it was caused by any volcanic or intrusive activity on Kamaʻehuakanaloa, but the earthquake had no apparent effect on Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt. HVO continues to monitor Mauna Loa and other Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.

Click here for a map showing the quake’s location. More details are available at the National Earthquake Information Center website here. A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website here.

According to a press release from HVO, light shaking, with maximum Intensity of IV, was reported across parts of the Big Island. At that intensity, significant damage to buildings or structures is not expected. The USGS “Did you feel it?” service (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) received over 15 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake.

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