USGS HVO Information Statement—Magnitude-4.4 earthquake near the town of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi
On Wednesday, December 6, at 5:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.4 earthquake occurred near the town of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 14 mi (23 km) below sea level. The size and location of this earthquake indicate it is related to flexing of the oceanic crust buried deep below the island, and is not directly related to volcanic activity.
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 6:10 PM HST (Thursday, December 7, 2023, 04:10 UTC)
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
On Wednesday, December 6, at 5:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.4 earthquake occurred near the town of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 14 mi (23 km) below sea level. The size and location of this earthquake indicate it is related to flexing of the oceanic crust buried deep below the island, and is not directly related to volcanic activity, nor is it an aftershock of the magnitude-5.1 earthquake on Monday, December 4. There have been no detectable changes in activity at nearby Kīlauea volcano as a result of this earthquake; the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor for any changes.
EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION
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Magnitude: 4.4
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Date and time: December 6, 2023, 5:17 p.m. HST
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Location: 1 mi (2 km) west northwest of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi
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Depth: 14 mi (23 km) below sea level
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Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks
EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY AND AFFECTED AREA
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Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity
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Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: IV—Light shaking, no significant damage expected and none reported at this time (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
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Felt Reports: Over 150 within first half hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
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Felt Area: Widely over the Island of Hawaiʻi
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Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/
EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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USGS National Earthquake Information Center Maps and Reports for this Event: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73675087/executive
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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:
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
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