4.0 Earthquake Near Nā‘ālehu on Hawai‘i Island

Nā‘ālehu earthquake on Hawaiʻi Island, Oct. 13, 2014. Intensity map courtesy USGS.

By Wendy Osher

There were no immediate advisories issued following a 4.0 earthquake reported at 6:43 p.m. HST on Sunday, Oct. 12, seven miles north of Nā‘ālehu in the Ka‘ū District of Hawaiʻi Island, according to the the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The US Geological Survey reports that the quake occurred at a depth of 3.4 miles, and was located: 8 miles WSW of Pāhala, Hawaiʻi; 42 miles SE of Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi; 50 miles SW of Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiʻi; 51 miles SW of Hilo, Hawaiʻi; and 208 miles SE of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

According to HVO’s Seismic Network Manager, Wes Thelen, the area north of Nā‘ālehu has experienced eight earthquakes over the past 50 years, including Sunday’s event, that have measured 4.0 or greater and were recorded at depths of 6.2 miles or less.

HVO officials say, “the earthquake caused no detectable changes in Kīlauea Volcano’s ongoing eruption or on Mauna Loa.”

The USGS “Did you feel it?” website received a total of 20 felt reports from the Nā‘ālehu area.  The quake was also felt in Hilo and Pāhala on Hawaiʻi Island, and at Hickam Air Force Base on Oʻahu.

The quake comes ahead of the 2nd annual Great Hawaiʻi Shakeout, scheduled for 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.  The educational event provides an opportunity for individuals throughout the State to practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”—a protocol to protect lives during an earthquake.