USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-01-27T09:58:09+00:00

On Monday, January 26, 11:37 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.2 earthquake occurred 1 mi (2 km) northwest of Pāhala on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 21 mi (33 km) below sea level. Earthquake is part of the ongoing deep swarm beneath Pahala that began about 7 years ago and is not directly related to volcanic activity. The earthquake had no apparent impact on the paused Halemaʻumaʻu eruption or elsewhere on either Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes.

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

• Magnitude: 4.2
• Date and Time: January 26, 2026, at 11:37 p.m. HST
• Location: 1 mi (2 km) NW of Pāhala
• Depth: 21 mi (33 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: Over 320 within first 45 minutes (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)   
• Felt Area: Widely across the Island of Hawaiʻi   
• Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information, no tsunami threat reported: 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/hv74886167
• USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes