USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2026-03-13T03:44:39+00:00

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 5:45 PM HST (Friday, March 13, 2026, 03:45 UTC)

On Thursday, March 12, 5:16 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.4 earthquake occurred 8 mi (13 km) east-southeast of Pāhala on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 18 mi (29 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.

This earthquake is part of the seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which has been going on since 2019. Earthquakes in this region have been observed at least as far back as the 1960s. See https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-why-do-so-many-deep-earthquakes-happen-around-pahala for more information.

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

Magnitude: 4.4
Date and Time: March 12, 2026, at 5:16 p.m. HST
Location: 8 mi (13 km) ESE of Pāhala
Depth: 18 mi (29 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 155 within the first half hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
Felt Area: Around the Island of Hawaiʻi
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/hv74916907
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