The recent magnitude-5.7 earthquake that shook Hawaii's Big Island serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of our planet. This event should serve as a wake-up call for us to take action and prioritize disaster preparedness.
Firstly, earthquakes are not uncommon in Hawaii due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region is prone to seismic activity, making it crucial for residents and authorities to be well-prepared. The magnitude-5.7 earthquake may seem relatively minor compared to some devastating quakes around the world, but it is still a significant event that can cause damage and disrupt lives.
The earthquake about 10 a.m. local time was centered 11 miles south of Naalehu, Hawaii, at a depth of 6 miles. No tsunami warning was expected, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Some shaking could be felt in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, according to the USGS Did You Feel It? page. Several aftershocks followed in the same area.
The earthquake, which the U.S. Geological Survey initially reported as magnitude 6.3, was centered on Mauna Loa’s southern flank at a depth of 23 miles (37 kilometers), 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) southwest of Pahala.
“It shook us bad to where it wobbled some knees a little bit,” said Derek Nelson, the manager of the Kona Canoe Club restaurant in the oceanside community of Kona, on the island’s western side. “It shook all the windows in the village.”
Mauna Loa last erupted in late 2022. It’s one of five volcanoes that make up the Big Island, which is the southernmost in the Hawaiian archipelago.
The USGS Interactive Map shows some shaking could be felt in the northeast town of Kailua-Kona, about a 71-mile drive from Pahala. The USGS said it received reports that the earthquake could be felt more than 280 miles away within the first hour, including in Maui and parts of O'ahu.
No damage was expected to buildings based on the earthquake's intensity. It doesn't appear the earthquake had any impacts on Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
"This earthquake is likely associated with lithospheric flexure caused by the weight of the Hawaiian Islands on the oceanic lithosphere," the USGS said in a statement.
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