PĀHALA, September 18 — A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck the southern half of Hawaiʻi Island on Sunday morning, September 13, at 8 a.m. HST, according to the USGS, with the epicenter located 2 miles south of Pāhala at a depth of 8 miles below sea level. The quake was not strong enough to cause damage or generate a tsunami threat, and no damage is expected.
More than 56 “felt reports” were submitted to the USGS within the first half hour, mostly from the Kona and Kaʻū districts, with a few from Hilo. Residents reported light shaking.
No apparent impact on the island’s active volcanoes
In an information statement, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea. Kīlauea is currently showing prolonged, precursory lava activity building to its next episode of high lava fountaining. The USGS noted that the earthquake occurred near the long-term seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which has been ongoing since 2019, and that earthquakes in this region have been observed at least as far back as the 1960s.
Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks, according to the USGS.
Part of a swarm scientists have tracked for years
Pāhala is a small community in the Kaʻū district of Hawaiʻi County, located near the southern tip of the island. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors seismic activity across the island and issues information statements for significant earthquakes. This earthquake is part of the ongoing seismic activity in the region, which is closely watched due to the presence of active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kīlauea.
The magnitude 4.0 quake is considered light and typically does not cause structural damage. The felt reports provide valuable data to scientists about how earthquakes are experienced by residents.
The event was captured on an interactive USGS map showing the earthquake’s location. The USGS continues to monitor the situation and will issue updates if necessary.
