Hazard Notification System (HANS) for Volcanoes
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 5:07 PM HST (Thursday, April 27, 2023, 03:07 UTC)
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
On Wednesday, April 26, at 4:31 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.2 earthquake occurred 7.5 mi (12 km) east-southeast of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 18.3 mi (29.5 km) below sea level. The earthquake was widely felt on the Island of Hawaiʻi, with 89 felt reports in the first half-hour. Reported shaking intensity was very light (V on the Modified Mercalli scale) and little or no damage is expected. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
USGS National Earthquake Information Center Maps and Reports for this Event: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73378097/executive
This earthquake is part of the seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which has been ongoing 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 Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION
- Magnitude: 4.2
- Date and time: April 26, 2023, 4:31 p.m. HST
- Location: 7.5 mi (12 km) east-southeast of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi
- Depth: 18.3 mi (29.5 km) below sea level
- Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks
EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY AND AFFECTED AREA
- Potential Damage: Little or no damage expected.
- Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: V—Very light shaking (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
- Felt Reports: 89 within the first half-hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
- Felt Area: 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/hv73378097/executive
- 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:
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