HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Monday, September 5, 2022, 3:20 PM HST (Tuesday, September 6, 2022, 01:20 UTC)
KILAUEA (VNUM #332010)
19°25’16” N 155°17’13” W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
KĪLAUEA INFORMATION STATEMENT
HVO has revised the format of earthquake information statements issued for magnitude 4 and greater events; the revised format includes the same information as that provided in HVO’s past earthquake information statements.
On Monday, Sepember 5, at 2:23 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.0 earthquake occurred 7 mi (12 km) east-northeast of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 20 mi (33 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
This earthquake is part of the seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which has been going on since 2019. Earthquakes in this region have been observed at least as far back as the 1960s (https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-why-do-so-many-deep-earthquakes-happen-around-pahala).
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION
- Magnitude: 4.0 (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73132252)
- Date and time: September 5, 2022, 2:23 p.m. HST
- Location: 7 mi (12 km) east-northeast of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi
- Depth: 20 mi (33 km) below sea level
- Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks
INTENSITY OF EARTHQUAKES AND AFFECTED AREAS
- Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity
- Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: IV—Light Shaking (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
- Felt Reports: More than 70 within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
- Felt Area: Across the Island of Hawaiʻi
- 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/hv73132252
- USGS-HVO Interactive Earthquake Map of Hawaiʻi: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes
FIVE MOST RECENT MAGNITUDE 4 OR GREATER EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII
- 2022 August 22—Magnitude 4.0— 6 mi (9 km) E of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73118317)
- 2022 July 27—Magnitude 4.6—27 mi (43 km) ESE of Nāʻālehu, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73089052/executive)
- 2022 May 22—Magnitude 4.7—2 mi (3 km) NW of Hōlualoa, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73019747/executive)
- 2022 April 15—Magnitude 4.6—6 mi (9 km) E of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72984552/executive)
2022 April 15—Magnitude 4.3—5 mi (8 km) E of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72984557/executive
