HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT 

On Sunday, March 26, at 6:39 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.1 earthquake occurred on Kamaʻehuakanaloa (Lō‘ihi) volcano, 32 mi (52 km) southeast of Nāʻālehu, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 4.8 mi (7.8 km) below sea level.  The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.   

The earthquake was preceded by M3.1 and M3.2 earthquakes on Kamaʻehuakanaloa occurring over the past 12 hours. It is unknown whether these events were caused by any volcanic or intrusive activity on Kamaʻehuakanaloa, but the earthquakes have had no apparent effect on Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt.    

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION   

• Magnitude: 4.1  

• Date and time: March 26, 2023, 6:39 p.m. HST     

• Location: 32mi (52 km) southeast of Nāʻālehu, Island of Hawaiʻi  

• Depth: 4.8 mi (7.8 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 Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: II—Weak shaking (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)     

• Felt Reports: Three within first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)  

• Felt Area: Southern portion of 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/hv73350092/executive 

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