USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-12-30T09:30:29+00:00

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT

On Sunday, December 29, 11:04 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.3 earthquake occurred 1 mi (1 km) west-southwest of Pāhala on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 19 mi (31 km) below sea level. This earthquake is part of the ongoing swarm of deep seismicity that has been occurring beneath the Pāhala area since 2019. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes. 

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

·         Magnitude: 4.3

·         Date and Time: December 29, 2024, at 11:04 p.m. HST

·         Location: 1 mi (1 km) WSW of Pāhala

·         Depth: 19 mi (31 km) below sea level

·         Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks.  A magnitude 3.5 aftershock occurred in the same area about 15 minutes after the magnitude 4.3.

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: IV - light shaking

·         Instrument-derived: IV - light shaking

·         Felt Reports: More than 280 within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)

·         Felt Area: : Entire Island of Hawaiʻi, with scattered reports as far as Oʻahu

·         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/hv74580042

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