HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Thursday, July 9, 2026, 9:30 PM HST (Friday, July 10, 2026, 07:30 UTC)

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Volcano Observatory

Summary: On Thursday, July 9, 8:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred 34 mi (54 km) west-southwest of Captain Cook on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 24 mi (39 km) below sea level.
 

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT 

On Thursday, July 9, 8:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred 34 mi (54 km) west-southwest of Captain Cook on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 24 mi (39 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes. 

The depth and location of this earthquake indicate it is another lithospheric flexure earthquake related to bending of the ocean crust and upper brittle mantle (the lithosphere) by the weight of the islands.  No impact to the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea volcano is expected.

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION 

• Magnitude: 4.5 
• Date and Time: July 9, 2026, at 8:17 p.m. HST 
• Location: 34 mi (54 km) WSW of Captain Cook 
• Depth: 24 mi (39 km) below sea level 
• Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks 

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY AND AFFECTED AREA 

• Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity 
• Maximum Intensity, Modified Mercalli Scale (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale) 
• Community-reported: IV - light shaking 
• Instrument-derived: III - light shaking 
• Felt Reports: There were 275 within the first hour (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) 
• Felt Area: Across the Island of Hawaiʻi, and as far as O'ahu 
• 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/hv75000056 
• 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

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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