Hawaii Earthquakes – Live Map & Real-Time Monitoring

What causes earthquakes in Hawaii? Hawaii experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, mostly caused by magma movement beneath Kīlauea and Mauna Loa rather than tectonic plate collisions. Hawaii is an intraplate volcanic hotspot, and its largest quakes, such as the 1868 M7.9 Kaʻū event, occur when massive volcanic flanks slide along deep decollement faults.

Live Earthquake Map

Real-time earthquake data from the USGS showing M1.5+ earthquakes in Hawaii. Each colored circle represents an earthquake location. Click any circle to see detailed information including magnitude, location, time, and depth. Use the time filter buttons to view earthquakes from the last hour, 24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days.

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Hawaii Earthquake Statistics

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Latest Quakes Detected in Hawaii

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About Hawaii Earthquakes

Hawaii’s unique geological setting creates one of the most seismically active regions in the United States. Unlike most earthquake-prone areas that lie along tectonic plate boundaries, Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Plate, above a volcanic hotspot that has created the Hawaiian Island chain over millions of years.[1]

Unlike California, which lies along the boundary between the Pacific and North American Plates, Hawaii’s earthquakes occur within the Pacific Plate rather than along a plate margin.

Three Main Types of Hawaiian Earthquakes

Earthquakes in Hawaii are generally classified into three main types based on their causes and depths:[1]

  • Volcanic earthquakes: Shallow quakes caused by magma and volcanic gas movement, fracturing rock near active volcanoes like Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
  • Flank or decollement earthquakes: Occur beneath the edges of volcanoes where the immense volcanic load causes sliding. These can be very large and damaging.
  • Deep mantle or flexural earthquakes: Occur deeper below the islands where the Pacific Plate bends under the weight of the volcanic chain (e.g., Pāhala region).

Did you know? The next Hawaiian island, Kamaʻehuakanaloa volcano (Lōʻihi Seamount), is an active underwater volcano southeast of the Big Island, generating frequent seismic activity as it slowly rises toward the ocean surface.[13]

Active Volcanoes

The Hawaiian Islands contain several active or potentially active volcanoes monitored closely by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Seismic patterns around these volcanoes provide early indications of volcanic unrest.[2]

  • Kīlauea – One of the world’s most active volcanoes. Its magma movement generates thousands of earthquakes annually.[3]
  • Mauna Loa – The world’s largest active volcano by volume. Its eruptions are less frequent than Kīlauea’s but often far more voluminous.[4]
  • Hualālai – Last erupted in 1801. Earthquake swarms indicate ongoing magmatic activity beneath the volcano.
  • Kamaʻehuakanaloa (Lōʻihi Seamount) – An underwater volcano southeast of the Big Island, generating frequent seismic activity as it slowly grows toward the ocean surface.
  • Haleakalā – Located on Maui. Considered dormant but not extinct; last erupted around 1790.

Earthquake Characteristics

Hawaiian earthquakes share several distinctive characteristics:

  • High Frequency – Thousands occur annually across the islands, with rates increasing dramatically during volcanic unrest.
  • Shallow Depths – Volcanic earthquakes usually occur between 0–20 km depth. Deeper events, such as those beneath Pāhala (30–40 km), arise from plate flexure.[1]
  • Harmonic Tremor – Continuous low-frequency vibration caused by magma moving through underground conduits.
  • Earthquake Swarms – Clusters of small quakes occurring over hours or weeks, often linked to magma intrusion.
  • Foreshocks and Aftershocks – Some Hawaiian sequences contain traditional foreshock/aftershock patterns, but volcanic swarms are more common.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Founded in 1912 by Thomas Jaggar, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is a premier research facility monitoring the active volcanoes of Hawaii. HVO operates a network of around 100 seismic stations, GPS receivers, tiltmeters, and gas sensors across the islands.[2]

This network detects subtle changes in seismic and volcanic activity, providing crucial data for eruption forecasting. While highly effective, Hawaii is not included in the USGS–FEMA ShakeAlert early warning system used in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Did you know? Although most earthquakes occur on the Big Island, deeper flexural earthquakes affect all Hawaiian Islands — including the heavily populated Oʻahu and Maui.[12]

Historical Major Earthquakes

While most Hawaiian earthquakes are small and volcanic in origin, the islands have experienced several significant seismic events:

1868 Great Kaʻū Earthquake (M7.9)
The largest recorded Hawaiian earthquake struck on April 2, 1868 beneath the south flank of Mauna Loa. It triggered a major landslide and a local tsunami that killed 77 people, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s history.[1]
1975 Kalapana Earthquake (M7.7)
Occurred on November 29, 1975 beneath Kīlauea’s south flank. The resulting tsunami reached heights of 14 meters and caused two fatalities. Significant ground deformation occurred across the southeastern Big Island.[5]
2006 Kīholo Bay Earthquake (M6.7)
On October 15, 2006 a strong earthquake struck northwest of Hawaii Island. It caused widespread building and infrastructure damage but no deaths.
2018 Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Sequence (M6.9)
During the 2018 eruption, a M6.9 earthquake struck on May 4 — the largest since 1975. Over 23,000 earthquakes were recorded in three months, an extraordinary level of seismic activity.[6]

Did you know? Hawaii is one of the few places with extremely high seismicity that is not located near a tectonic plate boundary. All of its earthquakes are caused by the island chain’s position over the Hawaiian Hotspot and the associated volcanic activity and massive structural loading of the Pacific Plate.[14]

Seismic Hazards in Hawaii

Hawaii faces several earthquake-related hazards that differ from those in other seismically active regions:

  • Large Magnitude Events – Rare but possible, especially from flank movements of massive shield volcanoes.[7]
  • Ground Shaking – Shallow volcanic earthquakes can produce intense shaking capable of damaging structures.
  • Landslides – Steep volcanic slopes are highly susceptible to earthquake-triggered landslides.[1]
  • Tsunamis – Large earthquakes beneath or adjacent to Hawaii can generate local tsunamis with very short warning times.[8]
  • Ground Cracks & Subsidence – Common during large eruptions when magma withdrawal leaves voids underground.

USGS and HVO publish detailed seismic hazard maps highlighting elevated shaking risk along Kīlauea’s and Mauna Loa’s active volcanic flanks.

Earthquake & Tsunami Preparedness in Hawaii

The State of Hawaii, including Oʻahu and Maui, maintains a high risk for both earthquakes and tsunamis. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) recommends:

  • Drop, Cover, and Hold On during shaking.
  • Know tsunami risks: if strong shaking occurs near the coast, evacuate immediately to higher ground.
  • Know your Tsunami Evacuation Zones (HI-EMA Maps).
  • Maintain an emergency kit with 14 days of supplies.

Visit the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for official guides.

Monitoring Networks

Several organizations work together to monitor Hawaiian seismic activity:

  • Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) – Operates the primary seismic monitoring network, including around 100 seismic stations across the Hawaiian Islands. HVO scientists analyze earthquake patterns to forecast volcanic eruptions and assess seismic hazards.
  • Pacific Tsunami Warning Center – Located in Ewa Beach, Oʻahu, this center monitors earthquakes throughout the Pacific basin and issues tsunami warnings when necessary.[8]
  • USGS Earthquake Hazards Program – Provides real-time earthquake information and conducts research on seismic hazards throughout Hawaii and the United States.[11]
  • University of Hawaii – Conducts geological and seismological research, contributing to understanding of Hawaiian volcanism and tectonics.

🗺️ Related Maps

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

View other states: California | Alaska

References

  1. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. About Hawaiian Earthquakes
  2. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Volcano Hazards Program
  3. U.S. Geological Survey. Kīlauea Volcano
  4. U.S. Geological Survey. Mauna Loa Volcano
  5. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Volcano Watch—Remembering the destructive Kalapana earthquake 50 years ago
  6. U.S. Geological Survey. 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption and Summit Collapse at Kīlauea Volcano
  7. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Hawaiian Volcano Hazards
  8. National Tsunami Warning Center. Tsunami Warning
  9. State of Hawaii Department of Defense. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
  10. University of Southern California. The Great Hawaii ShakeOut
  11. U.S. Geological Survey. Earthquake Hazards Program
  12. U.S. Geological Survey. Kama‘ehuakanaloa (Lōʻihi Seamount)
  13. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Volcano Watch—Why do some Hawaii earthquakes occur so far offshore?
  14. U.S. Geological Survey. “Hotspots”: Mantle Thermal Plumes
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