Hawaii Earthquakes – Current Map & Latest Quake Monitoring

What Causes Earthquakes in Hawaii?

Hawaii gets earthquakes for a very different reason than California.

California sits on a major plate boundary, where the Pacific Plate and North American Plate interact. Hawaii does not. The Hawaiian Islands sit in the middle of the Pacific Plate, thousands of miles from the nearest plate edge.

So why does Hawaii still have so many earthquakes? Because Hawaii is volcanic.

Most Hawaii earthquakes are linked to magma moving underground, volcanoes shifting under their own weight, and the Pacific Plate bending under the enormous load of the islands. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii averages about 100 magnitude 3 or larger earthquakes each year, along with about 10 magnitude 4 or larger earthquakes and one magnitude 5 or larger earthquake each year.

Larger earthquakes are less common, but they do happen. Official USGS information also records roughly one magnitude 6 or larger earthquake every 10 years in Hawaii, and about two magnitude 7 or larger earthquakes every 100 years.

That makes Hawaii one of the most earthquake-active areas in the United States, but its earthquakes do not behave exactly like the ones along the San Andreas Fault.

Most Hawaii earthquake activity is concentrated around the Island of Hawaiʻi, especially near Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, Pāhala, Kīlauea’s south flank, and Kamaʻehuakanaloa, the submarine volcano southeast of the island.

The important difference is simple: Hawaii’s earthquakes happen within the Pacific Plate rather than along the edge of it. Hawaii is not shaking because two major plates are grinding past each other like they do in California. Hawaii shakes because it is built on active volcanoes.

Three Main Types of Hawaiian Earthquakes

Earthquakes in Hawaii are generally grouped by what causes them and how deep they occur.

• Volcanic earthquakes: Shallow earthquakes caused by magma movement, volcanic gas movement, pressure changes, and rock fracturing near active volcanoes such as Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
• Flank or décollement earthquakes: Earthquakes that occur as the massive sides of Hawaii’s volcanoes slowly move outward under gravity. These can be large and damaging when movement happens suddenly.
• Deep mantle or flexural earthquakes: Deeper earthquakes caused by the Pacific Plate bending under the enormous weight of the Hawaiian Islands. The Pāhala region is one of the most closely watched areas for this type of activity.

Active Volcanoes

The Hawaiian Islands contain several active or potentially active volcanoes monitored by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Earthquake patterns around these volcanoes help scientists track volcanic unrest, magma movement, and possible changes underground.

• Kīlauea – One of the world’s most active volcanoes. Magma movement beneath Kīlauea generates frequent earthquakes, especially around the summit, rift zones, and south flank. View the official USGS Kīlauea volcano page.
• Mauna Loa – The world’s largest active volcano by volume. Earthquakes can occur beneath the summit, rift zones, and flanks as magma moves or the volcano adjusts under its own weight. View the official USGS Mauna Loa volcano page.
• Hualālai – An active volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi that last erupted in 1801. Earthquake swarms beneath Hualālai can indicate that magma or volcanic stress is still present.
• Kamaʻehuakanaloa – An underwater volcano southeast of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It is not an island yet, but it is part of the same hotspot system that built the rest of the Hawaiian chain.
• Haleakalā – A volcano on Maui that is considered active but currently quiet. Earthquakes around Maui can still occur, even though most Hawaii earthquake activity is concentrated around the Island of Hawaiʻi.

Earthquake Characteristics

Hawaiian earthquakes have several features that make them different from earthquakes in places such as California or Alaska.

• High frequency: Thousands of earthquakes occur in Hawaii each year, especially around active volcanoes and during periods of volcanic unrest.
• Shallow volcanic earthquakes: Many volcanic earthquakes happen at shallow depths as magma, gas, and fluids move through rock.
• Deep Pāhala earthquakes: Many earthquakes near Pāhala occur much deeper underground. Research covered by USGS Volcano Watch links this activity to deep magma movement beneath the Island of Hawaiʻi.
• Earthquake swarms: Swarms are clusters of earthquakes in the same area over a short period of time. In Hawaii, swarms can be linked to magma movement or changes in volcanic stress.
• Flank movement: The sides of large shield volcanoes can slowly move seaward. When part of a volcano flank moves suddenly, it can produce a large earthquake.

A swarm does not automatically mean an eruption is about to happen. It means scientists are watching closely to understand what is changing underground.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors Hawaii’s active volcanoes and earthquakes. Its work includes tracking earthquake activity, ground deformation, gas emissions, eruption activity, and other signs of volcanic change.

This monitoring helps scientists understand current conditions and share updates with emergency managers and the public. It is especially important in Hawaii because earthquakes and volcanic activity are closely connected.

Hawaii is not currently included in the public ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system used in California, Oregon, and Washington. The USGS ShakeAlert page describes ShakeAlert as the earthquake early warning system for those West Coast states.

Historical Major Earthquakes

Most Hawaiian earthquakes are small, but the islands have also experienced several large and damaging events. These larger earthquakes are often linked to volcano flank movement, deep structural adjustment, or major volcanic activity.

1868 Great Kaʻū Earthquake, about M7.9

The 1868 Great Kaʻū earthquake is the largest recorded earthquake in Hawaii. It struck the south side of the Island of Hawaiʻi, triggered landslides, and generated a local tsunami. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s earthquake information lists it among Hawaii’s major historical earthquakes.

1975 Kalapana Earthquake, M7.2–M7.7 depending on source and scale

The 1975 Kalapana earthquake occurred beneath Kīlauea’s south flank and generated a damaging local tsunami. Magnitudes for this event are sometimes listed differently depending on the source and scale used. One USGS Volcano Watch article lists the main shock as magnitude 7.2, while a later USGS HVO retrospective refers to it as magnitude 7.7.

2006 Kīholo Bay Earthquake, M6.7

The 2006 Kīholo Bay earthquake struck northwest of the Island of Hawaiʻi and caused widespread damage across parts of the state. It was followed minutes later by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake offshore of Māhukona. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory records damage to roads, buildings, utilities, and homes.

2018 Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Sequence, M6.9

During the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on May 4. The USGS summary of the 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption records intense earthquake activity during the eruption and summit collapse sequence.

Seismic Hazards in Hawaii

Hawaii faces several earthquake-related hazards that differ from those in many other seismically active regions. The main risks are connected to volcanic activity, large shield volcanoes, steep slopes, coastal areas, and tsunami exposure.

• Large earthquakes: Rare but possible, especially from sudden movement along the flanks of Kīlauea or Mauna Loa.
• Ground shaking: Shallow volcanic earthquakes can produce strong shaking close to the source.
• Landslides: Steep volcanic slopes can be vulnerable to earthquake-triggered landslides.
• Tsunamis: Large local earthquakes can generate tsunamis, especially when they involve seafloor movement, coastal subsidence, or sudden flank movement. Current alerts are available from the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.
• Ground cracks and subsidence: Ground movement can occur during major volcanic unrest, eruption sequences, or large flank earthquakes.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory hazards information provides official details on volcanic and earthquake hazards in Hawaii.

Earthquake & Tsunami Preparedness in Hawaii

Earthquake safety in Hawaii also means tsunami safety. Coastal areas can be at risk if a large local earthquake causes seafloor movement, coastal subsidence, or sudden movement along a volcano flank.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency provides official emergency preparedness information for residents and visitors.

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On during shaking.
• If you are near the coast and feel strong shaking, or shaking that lasts a long time, move inland or to higher ground after the shaking stops.
• Do not wait for a siren if the natural warning signs are obvious. A nearby tsunami can arrive quickly.
• Know your local tsunami evacuation zone using the HI-EMA tsunami evacuation zone maps.
• Keep emergency supplies available, especially if you live in a coastal or remote area.

Monitoring Networks

Several organizations help monitor earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunami risk in Hawaii.

• Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors Hawaii’s active volcanoes, earthquake activity, ground deformation, and volcanic hazards.
• Pacific Tsunami Warning Center: The U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers provide official tsunami information, including alerts for Hawaii and the wider Pacific region.
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program: The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program provides real-time earthquake data and maps for Hawaii, the United States, and worldwide earthquake activity.
• Hawaii Emergency Management Agency: The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency provides preparedness information, emergency guidance, and tsunami evacuation resources.

For broader regional context, you can also compare Hawaii with other live maps, including California earthquakes, Alaska earthquakes, Pacific Northwest earthquakes, and North America earthquakes.

🗺️ Related Maps

View broader region: United States Earthquakes | North America Earthquakes | Recent Earthquakes Worldwide

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