Magnitude 4.6 earthquake strikes in deep ocean northeast of Maui; no tsunami threat

There is no tsunami threat to the Big Island or any of the Hawaiian Islands following a preliminary magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck in deep ocean northeast of Maui. The quake occurred at 11:29 a.m. on Thursday.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the earthquake occurred 55 miles north-northeast of Paʻauilo on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 15 miles below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes. But aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks.

Deep earthquakes north of the Island of Hawaiʻi are typically the result of bending the oceanic crust and underlying brittle mantle due to the weight of the islands. This earthquake fits the pattern of past earthquakes related to bending of the oceanic lithosphere. 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports that no tsunami is expected; however, some areas may have experienced shaking.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said there were more than 53 felt reports within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/).

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the distance and direction from the epicenter to nearby locations was:

1. Laupāhoehoe, Hawaiʻi, 69.6 miles SSW
2. Hilo, Hawaiʻi, 83.4 miles SSW
3. Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiʻi, 91.4 miles S
4. Kīhei, Hawaiʻi, 106.9 miles W
5. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 199.3 miles W

For more information:

• Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/
• USGS National Earthquake Information Center Maps and Reports for this Event: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000kfk7
• USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes

Editorʻs Note: This report was updated with new information. Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.