Volcano Updates

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT 

On Friday, February 9, 10:06 a.m. HST, a magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurred 2 km (1.25 mi) southwest of Pāhala on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 37 km (23 mi) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes. Numerous aftershocks have been felt and are expected to continue. This earthquake is likely associated with lithospheric flexure caused by the weight of the Hawaiian Islands on the oceanic lithosphere.  The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes. 

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION 

• Magnitude: 5.7 

• Date and Time: February 9, 2024, at 10:06 a.m. HST 

• Location: 1.25 mi (2 km) SE of Pāhala 

• Depth: 23 mi (37 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: VI – strong shaking 

• Instrument-derived: VII – very strong shaking 

• Felt Reports: More than 280 within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) 

• Felt Area: Widely felt across the islands of Hawaiʻi and Maui, and parts of 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/hv74103036  

• USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes