2 Hawai’i Island Earthquakes over 3.4 HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, December 8, 2023, 10:12 PM HST (Saturday, December 9, 2023, 08:12 UTC)

On Friday, December 8 at 9:21 p.m. HST, a magnitude-3.6 earthquake occurred 2 mi (3 km) west-southwest of Hōlualoa on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 8 mi (13 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on Hualālai, Mauna Loa, or Kīlauea volcanoes.

Approximately 1 minute later, a magnitude-3.4 earthquake occurred on the east side of the Island of Hawaiʻi, 12 mi (19 km) north of Pāhala at a depth of 4 mi (7 km) below sea level. This earthquake was likely not related to the one near Hōlualoa as it occurred in a different structural section of the island, but it too had no apparent impact on any of the nearby volcanoes.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

• Magnitude: 3.6

• Date and Time: December 8, 2023, at 9:21 p.m. HST
• Location: 2 mi (3 km) WSW of Hōlualoa, Island of Hawaiʻi
• Depth: 8 mi (13 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: V – moderate shaking
  • Instrument-derived: IV – light shaking
• Felt Reports: Over 120 within first half hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
• Felt Area: West side of the Island of Hawaiʻi
• Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/