HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT U.S. Geological Survey Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 3:06 PM HST

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT

On Tuesday, December 3, 1:53 p.m. HST, a magnitude-3.5 earthquake occurred 14 mi (23 km) west-northwest of the village of Maunaloa on the Island of Molokaʻi at a depth of 5 mi (8 km) below sea level. The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

The shallow earthquake occurred beneath the Kaiwi channel, and was widely felt on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi. Earthquakes in this region are not common but have occurred occasionally in the past 200 years.  These earthquakes are caused by bending of the crust beneath the islands and associated adjustments related to the weight of the islands.

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

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION

• Magnitude: 3.5
• Date and Time: December 3, 2024, at 1:53 p.m. HST
• Location: 14 mi (23 km) WNW of Maunaloa, Molokaʻi
• Depth: 5 mi (8 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: III – weak shaking
• Instrument-derived: — – n/a shaking
• Felt Reports: More than 500 within the first hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
• Felt Area: Widely felt on O‘ahu and a few felt reports from Moloka‘i, Maui, and the Island of Hawai‘i
• Visit NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center website for updated information: https://www.tsunami.gov/