On Sunday, October 10, at 11:48 a.m., HST, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an offshore magnitude-6.2 earthquake centered about 17 miles south-southeast of Nāʻālehu at a depth of 22 mi.  A magnitude-4.3 aftershock occurred at 11:53 a.m., about 3 miles north of the magnitude-6.2 earthquake at a depth of 22 miles. Two smaller aftershocks followed theses quakes.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the earthquake poses no threat for a tsunami.

The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area.  Strong shaking, with a maximum Intensity of VI, has been reported across the Island of Hawai‘i, and throughout the Hawaiian Islands. At that intensity, very slight damage to buildings or structures may have occurred.

HVO Scientist-in-Charge, Ken Hon said the earthquake had no observable impact on Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes. In a statement Hon said, “Webcams and other data streams show no impact on the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea except for a few minor rockfalls reported within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Please be aware that other aftershocks are possible and may be felt. HVO continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes. The Alert Levels/Color Codes remain at WATCH/ORANGE for Kīlauea and ADVISORY/YELLOW for Mauna Loa at this time.”

A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/.

More details are available at the National Earthquake Information Center website at  https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72748782/.

———-