Note: The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will no longer be posting earthquake Information Statements in the "news" section. Moving forward, users can access earthquake Information Statements via the "Information Statement" option in the menu on the left side of the HVO website. 

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT

U.S. Geological Survey

Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 6:23 PM HST (Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 04:23 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; the new format includes the same information as that provided in HVO’s past earthquake information statements.

On Tuesday, July 26, at 5:46 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.3 earthquake occurred 6 miles (9 km) ENE of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 21 mi (34 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: 4.3 (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73089002 ) 
• Date and time: July 26, 2022, at 5:46 p.m. HST   
• Location: 6 mi (9 km) ENE of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi 
• Depth: 21 mi (34 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 130 within the first half hour (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)  
• Felt Area: Across the Island of Hawaiʻi (plus three from Oʻahu) 
• 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/hv73089002  
• 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 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) 
• 2022 March 20—Magnitude 4.5—13 mi (21 km) SSE of Waimea, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72956917/executive) 
• 2022 January 31—Magnitude 4.0—5 mi (8 km) ENE of Pāhala, Island of Hawaiʻi (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72897042/executive) 

More Information:

Kīlauea activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862

Kīlauea webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams

Kīlauea photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/photo-video-chronology

Kīlauea lava-flow maps: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/maps

Kīlauea FAQs: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/faqs

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The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi.