Last night, a magnitude-4.6 earthquake occurred 9 miles south-southeast of Fern Forest at a depth of 3 miles below sea level.

The earthquake, which had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes, followed the end of episode 37 lava fountaining on Kīlauea by 10 minutes, but does not appear directly related to the eruption.

Most earthquakes in this region are caused by movement of the south flank of Kīlauea. The location, depth, and waveforms recorded as part of the earthquake are consistent with slip along south flank faults.

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