USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2023-04-26T19:56:53-07:00

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:

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