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USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2022-10-14T14:22:10-07:00
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, October 14, 2022, 11:46 AM HST (Friday, October 14, 2022, 21:46 UTC)
MAUNA LOA (VNUM #332020)
19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
Two moderate earthquakes occurred beneath the southern end of the Island of Hawai‘i at 9:07 a.m. this morning. The first earthquake (magnitude-4.6) was slightly offshore and south of Pāhala, at about 13 km (8 mi) depth. It was followed 24 seconds later by a larger magnitude-5.0 earthquake just south of Pāhala, 7.4 km (4.6 mi) beneath Highway 11. These two larger earthquakes were followed by a string of aftershocks, mostly less than magnitude-3.0, but including some larger ones up to magnitude-4.0. The aftershock sequence is continuing, between 0–12 km (0–7 mi) depth, south of Pāhala. The aftershocks could continue for several days to possibly weeks and may be large enough to be felt.
The two larger earthquakes were reported by hundreds of people from the Island of Hawaiʻi and felt to a lesser extent across the entire State of Hawai’i. Shaking from the larger earthquakes may have been strong enough to do minor local damage, especially to older buildings. The two earthquakes occurred within 24 seconds of each other creating shaking of longer duration and possibly greater intensity than either of the earthquakes would have created on their own.
This sequence of earthquakes appears to be related to readjustments along the southeast flank of Mauna Loa volcano. There has been no immediate effect on the continuing unrest beneath Mauna Loa summit, which remains elevated at levels similar to the past week. On several occassions large earthquakes have preceded past eruptions of Mauna Loa, though these have typically been larger than today’s earthquakes. It is not known at this time if this sequence of earthquakes is directly related to the ongoing unrest on Mauna Loa.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will continue to closely monitor Mauna Loa for any changes.
EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION
- Magnitude: 5.0 (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000itqe)
- Date and time: October 14, 2022 at 09:07:29 a.m. HST
- Location: 4 mi (6 km) west of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi
- Depth: 4.5 mi (7.5 km) below sea level
- Aftershocks are occuring and are expected to continue in the following days and possibly weeks.
- The magnitude-5.0 earthquake was preceded by a magnitude-4.6 event that overlapped with it (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73178772). See links below for additional aftershock information.
INTENSITY OF EARTHQUAKES AND AFFECTED AREAS
- Potential Damage: Damage negligable in buildings of good design and construction.
- Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: VI to VII— Stong to Very Strong Shaking (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
- Felt Reports: More than 650 within the first half an hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
- Felt Area: Across 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/hv73156112
- USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes
AFTERSHOCKS REPORTED FELT
Background:
Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on our planet and covers half of the Island of Hawaiʻi. Eruptions tend to produce voluminous, fast-moving lava flows that can impact communities on the east and west sides of the Island.
Mauna Loa eruptions typically start at the summit and, within minutes to months of eruption onset, can migrate into either the Northeast or Southwest Rift Zone, or radial vents on the north flank. Since its first well-documented eruption in 1843, the volcano has erupted 33 times with intervals between eruptions ranging from months to decades. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984.
More Information:
- Mauna Loa activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8866
- Mauna Loa webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/webcams
- Mauna Loa photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/photo-and-video-chronology-mauna-loa
- Mauna Loa maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/maps
- Mauna Loa FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/faqs
- Recent Volcano Watch on Mauna Loa: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-failing-prepare-you-are-preparing-fail-benjamin-franklin
- Map-based webpage for Mauna Loa: https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/maunaloa/
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:
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