USGS HVO Press Release—Magnitude-4.6 earthquake on Kīlauea Volcano’s south flank
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.6 earthquake located beneath Kīlauea Volcano's south flank on Thursday, July 2, at 11:20 p.m., HST.
The earthquake was centered about 7 km (4.3 miles) south of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, at approximately 6.8 km depth (4.2 miles). 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/hv72027572/.
Moderate shaking, with maximum Intensity of V, has been reported across the Islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, and Lāna‘i. At that intensity, significant damage to buildings or structures is not expected. The USGS "Did you feel it?" service (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) received over 725 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake.
According to HVO seismologist Ashton Flinders, the earthquake had no apparent effect on Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. "We currently observe no immediate changes in activity at Kīlauea or Mauna Loa as a result of this earthquake. Aftershocks are possible and may be felt." HVO continues to monitor Kīlauea and other Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
Kīlauea's south flank has been the site of 20 earthquakes of magnitude-4.0 or greater during the past 20 years. Most are caused by abrupt motion of the volcano's south flank, which moves to the southeast over the oceanic crust. The location, depth, and waveforms recorded as part of today's earthquake are consistent with slip along this south flank fault. This earthquake is likely an aftershock of the 2018 magnitude-6.9 earthquake as the volcano continues to settle.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/.
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Daily updates about Kīlauea's ongoing eruptions, recent images and videos of summit and East Rift Zone volcanic activity, maps, and data about recent earthquakes in Hawaii are posted on the HVO website at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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