USGS HVO Press Release — Magnitude-4.2 earthquake north of Moloka‘i
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.2 earthquake north of Moloka‘i on Thursday, March 9, at 3:03 a.m. HST.
This earthquake was centered about 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Kaunakakai, Moloka‘i, at a depth of 17 km km (10.6 mi). A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/.
The earthquake was felt throughout the island chain, from Hawai‘i to O‘ahu, with the USGS "Did you feel it?" website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) receiving more than 340 felt reports within an hour of the earthquake. Weak to light shaking, with maximum Intensity of IV, has been reported. At that intensity, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that no tsunami was generated (http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=2).
The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian Island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt.
The earthquake caused no detectable changes in Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing eruptions, on Mauna Loa, or at other active volcanoes on the Island of Hawai‘i.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at https://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
Volcano updates, photos, maps, and recent earthquake data for Hawaii are posted on the HVO website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo.
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