4.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Kīlauea Summit Saturday, no tsunami threat

Did you feel it?

The summit region of Kīlauea was rocked by a magnitude-4.3 earthquake at 4:25 p.m. today, about 3.7 miles south-southwest of Volcano Village on the Big Island at a depth of about 0.2 miles.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu said there is no tsunami expected.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory put out a status report at 7 p.m. Saturday that said the earthquake activity has increased in Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, near Makaopuhi Crater. Ground deformation patterns west of Puʻuʻōʻō suggest another intrusive event could be occurring in this region.

Since 4 p.m., about 60 earthquakes have been detected, with earthquake intensity increasing closer to Makaopuhi Crater.

“Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption; however, conditions could change quickly,” according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. “Past eruptive activity in this area of Kīlauea’s upper-to-middle East Rift Zone has typically occurred between Hiʻiaka crater and Maunaulu in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

The Volcano Alert Level/Aviation Color Code for Kīlauea remains at advisory/yellow.

By 4:44 p.m. Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey had already received 66 “Felt reports” for the 4.3-magnitude earthquake from around the Big Island, including four from inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park where the summit is located, and where the highest intensity was reported.

Others were from nearby Volcano Village, with 40 reports submitted, as well as Mountain View, Kurtistown, Hilo and Pepeekeo.

There were nine and seven “Felt reports” submitted from around Mountain View and Hilo, respectively, with other locations having 4 or less.

The initial magnitude of the earthquake was reported as 4.5, but it was revised to 4.3 shortly after.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense advises that if the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, check for any damages, including structural and gas, water and electrical utilities.

If any are found and you want to report them, complete an online form here (www.hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense).

The Maui Emergency Management Agency also issued an alert about the earthquake.

As with any earthquake, there is the threat of aftershocks.

Since the initial quake, there were 2 magnitude-2.5 temblors in about the same location as the first, 3.7 miles south of Volcano Village at depths of about 0.6 and 1.2 miles, respectively.

“I thought I was dizzy from yard work, but nope! Quake!,” wrote Jennifer McCoy in a comment on a post by Kathy Kitka in the Hawai’i Tracker group on Facebook at 4:41 p.m., just about 20 minutes after the temblor struck.

Kitka reported the quake shook a chair and a display case at her home.

“Downtown Hilo, my porch was gently shaking,” reported Doreen Suran.

Others in several areas such as Nanawale, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Leilani Estates and Kona said they didn’t feel anything. Barbara Gola Proffitt reported she only “felt a little bump.”

By 5:05 p.m., 40 minutes after the temblor struck, there were 86 “Felt reports” submitted to the USGS, including from other places such as Kailua-Kona, Pāpaʻikou, Nāʻālehu and Keaʻau.

The USGS rated it as a V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, with overall moderate shaking and the possibility of very light damage.

“A 4.3!! Followed by smaller ones!! All shook up!!” wrote Jean McDowell Smail in her reply to Kitka’s post.

Editor’s Note: New information and reaction from Big Island residents was added to this story.