Quake off east coast of Big Island similar in origin but unrelated to May 22, June 2 temblors in West Hawai‘i

U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude-4.7 earthquake struck at 10:37 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, about 14 miles east of Pāpa‘ikou, offshore of the Big Island, at a depth of about 24 miles below sea level.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also reported that Tuesday night’s quake is similar in origin but unrelated to the magnitude-6.0 that struck the night of May 22 in South Kona and magnitude-4.6 temblor June 2, both on the west side of the island.

“All of these earthquakes are likely related to stress from the weight of the island on the underlying rigid mantle and were not directly related to volcanic processes or magma movement,” said the observatory in an information statement.

These types of temblors are generated below the volcanoes and ocean crust in the upper mantle beneath the Hawaiian Islands.

“The depth, location and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the Pacific plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area,” the observatory said in its statement.

Light shaking was reported, and based on the earthquake’s intensity, no damage was expected, including to buildings or infrastructure.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu reported at 10:40 p.m. the quake struck off the north Puna Coast; however, U.S. Geological Survey shows it was located farther north.

There is no tsunami expected.

Aftershocks are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Tuesday night’s temblor was reported felt widely around the Big Island as well as on Maui, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu.

U.S. Geological Survey received more than 700 “Felt Reports” within the first hour after the quake struck.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported the earthquake had no apparent impact on Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.