HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT U.S. Geological Survey Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 1:18 PM HST (Tuesday, September 27,
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 1:18 PM HST (Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 23:18 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
On Tuesday, September 27, at 12:43 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred 6 mi (9 km) ENE of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 20 mi (32 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: 4.5 (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73156112)
- Date and time: September 27, at 12:43 p.m. HST
- Location: 6 mi (9 km) ENE of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi
- Depth: 20 mi (32 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 200 within the first half an hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
- Felt Area: Across the Island of Hawaiʻi
