USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2025-05-03T01:04:59+00:00

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, May 2, 2025, 3:30 PM HST (Saturday, May 3, 2025, 01:30 UTC)

On Friday, May 2, 12:59 p.m. HST, a magnitude-3.6 earthquake occurred 4 mi (6 km) west-southwest of Laupāhoehoe on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 19 mi (31 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.

The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. The event is likely related to stress from the weight of the island on the underlying ocean crust and was not directly related to volcanic processes.

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

Magnitude: 3.6
Date and Time: May 2, 2025, at 12:59 p.m. HST
Location: 4 mi (6 km) WSW of Laupāhoehoe
Depth: 19 mi (31 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: IV - light shaking
- Instrument-derived: IV - light shaking 
Felt Reports: More than 65 within the first two hours (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)  
Felt Area: North coast of the Island of Hawaiʻi, and one report from Maui
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/hv74664712
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