USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-12-04T00:59:12+00:00

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 3:06 PM HST (Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 01:06 UTC)

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT

On Tuesday, December 3, 1:53 p.m. HST, a magnitude-3.5 earthquake occurred 14 mi (23 km) west-northwest of the village of Maunaloa on the Island of Molokaʻi at a depth of 5 mi (8 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

The shallow earthquake occurred beneath the Kaiwi channel, and was widely felt on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi. Earthquakes in this region are not common but have occurred occasionally in the past 200 years. These earthquakes are caused by bending of the crust beneath the islands and associated adjustments related to the weight of the islands.

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

Magnitude: 3.5
Date and Time: December 3, 2024, at 1:53 p.m. HST
Location: 14 mi (23 km) WNW of Maunaloa, Molokaʻi
Depth: 5 mi (8 km) below sea level
Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY AND AFFECTED AREA

Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity
Maximum Intensity, Modified Mercalli Scale (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
Community-reported: III - weak shaking
Instrument-derived: -- - n/a shaking
Felt Reports: More than 500 within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
Felt Area: Widely felt on O‘ahu and a few felt reports from Moloka‘i, Maui, and the Island of Hawai‘i
Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/

EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

USGS National Earthquake Information Center Maps and Reports for this Event: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv74555032
USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi and American Samoa.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

askHVO@usgs.gov

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/
Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards
Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo
Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes