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December 6, 2023

On Wednesday, December 6, at 5:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.4 earthquake occurred near the town of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 14 mi (23 km) below sea level. The size and location of this earthquake indicate it is related to flexing of the oceanic crust buried deep below the island, and is not directly related to volcanic activity.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT

U.S. Geological Survey

Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 6:10 PM HST (Thursday, December 7, 2023, 04:10 UTC)

 

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT  

On Wednesday, December 6, at 5:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.4 earthquake occurred near the town of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi, at a depth of 14 mi (23 km) below sea level. The size and location of this earthquake indicate it is related to flexing of the oceanic crust buried deep below the island, and is not directly related to volcanic activity, nor is it an aftershock of the magnitude-5.1 earthquake on Monday, December 4. There have been no detectable changes in activity at nearby Kīlauea volcano as a result of this earthquake; the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor for any changes.

EARTHQUAKE DESCRIPTION    

  • Magnitude: 4.4 

  • Date and time: December 6, 2023, 5:17 p.m. HST      

  • Location: 1 mi (2 km) west northwest of Volcano, Island of Hawaiʻi   

  • Depth: 14 mi (23 km) below sea level    

  • Aftershocks are possible in the coming days to weeks      

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY AND AFFECTED AREA  

EARTHQUAKE MAPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   

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 and American Samoa.





CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

askHVO@usgs.gov



 

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards

Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes

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