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Earthquake in Hawaii today
Check recent earthquakes with reported epicentres inside Hawaii. Filter by time and magnitude and open the original USGS report.
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Latest earthquakes
UpdatedUpdates every minute while this page is visible
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This describes the available catalogue, not an all-clear. Try a longer period or check the latest known event below.
Why Hawaiʻi has earthquakes
Kīlauea's south flank
Most large Hawaiian earthquakes happen on the south flank of Kīlauea, which slides slowly seaward. The 1975 Kalapana earthquake (M7.7) caused a local tsunami; the 2018 M6.9 struck during the lower East Rift Zone eruption. In 1868 the Great Kaʻū earthquake was even larger.
Mauna Loa and the Kona coast
The 2006 Kīholo Bay earthquake (M6.7) occurred about 38 km deep beneath the Kona coast; it damaged roads and buildings on Hawaiʻi Island and caused power outages on Oʻahu.
Tsunamis from across the Pacific
Hawaiʻi's greater tsunami threat comes from distant earthquakes: the 1946 Aleutian and 1960 Chile earthquakes caused deadly tsunamis in Hilo.
Major earthquakes
The strongest earthquakes in Hawaiʻi in the USGS catalogue since 1900 (local dates):
- 7.7Mw
- 6.9Mw
- 6.7Md
- 6.7Md
Earthquakes and tsunamis in Hawaiʻi
Drop, cover and hold on. If you are on the coast and shaking is strong or lasts long, move to high ground or inland without waiting for sirens.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports local earthquakes; the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issues tsunami messages for the state.
Frequently asked questions
Was there an earthquake in Hawaii today?
The first panel shows the latest earthquake inside Hawaiʻi in the catalogue, in Hawaii time. Small earthquakes under Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are very frequent.
Are Hawaiian earthquakes caused by volcanoes?
Many are linked to magma movement, and the largest ones to the weight of the volcanoes sliding on their flanks.
Can an earthquake in Alaska or Japan affect Hawaiʻi?
Yes, through tsunamis. Follow the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and local civil defence.
Latest known event
Latest known event · UTC
Sources and coverage
Source: USGS · GeoNames · CC BY 4.0 · Natural Earth
The location is the reported epicentre. Offshore context is separate from a position inside a country. Small-event coverage varies by region.
Historical context
The historical catalogue includes USGS M6+ from 1900, M4.5+ from 1970 and delivered events since the project began. It is not a complete record of all small earthquakes.