4.1 magnitude earthquake strikes 32 miles southeast of Nāʻālehu on Big Island; no tsunami threat

On March 26, at 6:39 p.m., a 4.1 magnitude earthquake occurred on Kamaʻehuakanaloa (Lō‘ihi) volcano, 32 miles southeast of Nāʻālehu on the Big Island.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a tsunami.

The earthquake was at at a depth of 4.8 miles below sea level and had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.  

The earthquake could be felt in the southern portion of the Big Island, but no damage to buildings or infrastructure is expected based on the earthquake intensity. 

Felt Reports: Three within first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/).  

The earthquake was preceded by magnitude 3.1 and 3.2 earthquakes on Kamaʻehuakanaloa that occurred over the past 12 hours. It is unknown whether these events were caused by any volcanic or intrusive activity on Kamaʻehuakanaloa, but the earthquakes have had no apparent effect on Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt.   

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.  

Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/.

More information:

• USGS National Earthquake Information Center Maps and Reports for this Event: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73350092/executive 

• USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes