Living with Earthquakes in Hawaii

Tens of thousands of earthquakes occur each year in Hawaii, making it one of the most seismically active places in the United States. Brian Shiro, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory seismologist, talks about the different types of earthquakes in Hawaii and how they are monitored to help forecast volcanic eruptions and recounts the dramatic seismicity that happened during Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 eruption. Learn about historic damaging earthquakes and seismic hazards in Hawaii, and how you can prepare for the next “big one,” as Brian addresses these topics and more, including how you can participate in the process of earthquake monitoring. This talk was presented as part of the Island of Hawai‘i's 11th annual "Volcano Awareness Month." Volcano Awareness Month is spearheaded by the USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, in cooperation with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, and provides informative and engaging public programs about the science and hazards of Hawaiian volcanoes. Cover photo caption: Damage to the Kalāhikiola Congregational Church in Kapaʻau on the Island of Hawaiʻi caused by the magnitude-6.7 Kīholo Bay earthquake in October 2006. USGS photo.