Earthquakes in Hawaii: Frequency, Magnitude, and What to Expect

Are there Earthquakes in Hawaii?

Yes, yes, 1,000 times yes to be more exact. According to the Hawai’i Volcano Observatory, a branch of the United States Geological Survey, the Hawaiian Islands, while located in the middle of the Pacific plate and not remotely close to any fault lines still has approximately 1,000 tremors annually.

Before you panic or cancel plans to visit this tropical paradise, be aware that earthquakes in Hawaii are not anything new. In fact, they’ve been occurring for millions of years. The 50th state is comprised of volcanic islands, with the highest being Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island. Of the estimated 1,000 earthquakes each year, nearly 90 percent register lower than 3.0 magnitude and aren’t felt by anyone. Around 100 are 3.0-3.9 magnitude, about 10 are 4.0-4.9 on the Richter scale that measures earthquakes, and only one annually, if that, is greater than 5.0.

Most Hawai’i earthquakes occur so deep inside the earth’s core that they are only detected by extremely sensitive seismometers. If you have visited Hawai’i in the past and never felt an earthquake, you aren’t alone. But we can assure you that many occurred while you were there, about three each day, and they were uneventful.

Which Hawaiian island has the most earthquakes?

Since the entire chain of islands that constitutes the Aloha State were formed by volcanic eruptions long ago, earthquakes continue to occur on all of the islands. However, the island of Hawai’i (The Big Island) is far and away the most likely location of future earthquakes, both on and around the island. The most active areas of seismic activity are on the southern part of the island where Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and [Lo’ihi](https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-kamaehuakanaloa-volcano-formerly-known-loihi-seamount volcanoes are located.

The earthquakes directly attributed to these volcanic mountains are mostly caused by magma, underground molten rock that is moving inside each volcano. As this magma collects in shallow reservoirs beneath the earth’s surface it may erupt either in a crack/rift in the surface, or at the mountain’s summit. When the magma breaks through the earth’s surface, it is called lava.

Some earthquakes are caused by shifting oceanic plates located 50 to 100 miles below the earth’s crust. These are mostly extremely low magnitude and cannot be felt by humans. However, they are detected and recorded by seismometers for study purposes by the Hawai’i Volcano Observatory.

What kind of earthquakes occur in Hawai’i?

VOLCANIC: caused by the movement of magma below the earth’s surface, and potentially from eruptions by Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Haleakala, and Lo’ihi, the state’s currently active volcanoes. Earthquakes from these mountains occur by the hundreds and often thousands of small tremors.

TECTONIC: this type of earthquake involves the slippage of faults within the volcano itself. While there are two types of tectonic earthquakes in Hawai’i, the most common take place in the upper crust of the volcano, or occasionally below the mountain. Minor to moderate earthquakes of up to 5.0 magnitude occur with these faults.

Deeper into the earth at 5-6 miles below the surface, large flank earthquakes can take place where the volcano meets the oceanic crust below. Magnitude as high as 8.0 quakes can take place should this shift occur. This type of earthquake is far more dangerous and can cause widespread damage and local tsunamis.

A less likely scenario is the occurrence of what is called a slow slip earthquake that takes place over several days. Rather than causing a slight or moderate jolt, the tamer tremors associated with a slow slip quake are gentler if felt at all and are more common along the south slope of Kilauea.

MANTLE: this type of earthquake occurs more than 12 miles below sea level, and in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands, mantle earthquakes usually take place in the area north of the Big Island. It is caused by the bending of earth’s crust due to the weight of the islands above it.

Are there strong earthquakes in Hawai’i?

Rare but certainly possible, stronger earthquakes do occur in Hawai’i. Past history shows that a magnitude 6.0 or greater tremor occurs about once every 10 years, with two 7.0 or greater magnitude quakes taking place every 100 years.

The strongest Hawai’i earthquake in recorded history took place on April 2, 1868, with a magnitude of 7.9. Centered on the southeast slope of Mauna Loa on the Big Island, the quake killed 77 residents and caused extensive damage to buildings throughout the region. Fortunately, the island was lightly populated at the time, and there were few multi-story buildings.

In 1999, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake originated close to the epicenter of the 1868 tremor, with minimal damage and no injuries. While it may sound strong, a 5.6 earthquake is not considered a large one according to seismologists.

Visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to learn about centuries of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, are located within this incredible park. Correspondingly, this is also the region of the Big Island that experiences the overwhelming majority of earthquakes. The natural landscapes within Volcanoes National Park are some of the most unique from a geological and biological perspective in the world. It is easy to spend multiple days here exploring both by car and via fascinating hikes, several which take visitors deep within now dormant volcanoes.

It was the 1983 eruption of Pu’u O’o, a volcanic cone on the east side of Kilauea volcano, which led to multiple evacuations of nearby residents and the closure of the Chain of Craters Road that winds through the park. Nearly continuous lava flow and thousands of earthquakes were recorded before the cone’s eruption finally ceased on April 30, 2018. The Pu’u O’o activity was the longest in more than 200 years, lasting for 35 years.

Visitors to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, can today view areas where the park has grown by hundreds of acres due to the lava flow. About nine miles of roadway were destroyed as well. The unpredictable lava flow burned and completely covered the park’s Waha’ula Visitor Center, the Kamoamoa village site, a historic heiau (a Hawaiian temple for worshipping before Christianity arrived in the islands), a campground, picnic tables, and black sand beach in 1992.

At this time, 18.8 miles of rebuilt Chain of Craters Road is open to the public, ending along the stunning shoreline. Visitors will marvel at the site of mile upon mile of igneous rock, which is molten lava is its solid form, throughout this incredibly beautiful drive. It isn’t hard to imagine bubbling and steaming lava flowing down the mountainside while the earth beneath your feet shudders from numerous earthquakes.

Volcanic Islands = Great Vacations

While no one, well, almost no one travels to a volcanic island to experience an eruption full of lava, steam, and earthquakes, some of the world’s most popular vacation destinations are just that. In addition to Hawaii, sun-drenched beaches and swaying palm trees can be found on Bali in Indonesia, throughout the Caribbean, in Sicily, Fiji, the Canary Islands of Spain, the Philippines, and Portugal’s Azores.

And of course, we’ve all been riveted to the pictures coming out of Iceland in recent years, where travelers actually congregate for the continuing eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula not too far from the capital city of Reykjavik.

Hawaii’s volcanic mountains shouldn’t be missed during a vacation there, even if it means just hiking to the top of Diamond Head at Waikiki Beach. The views are spectacular, the hiking fascinating to say the least, and who knows, maybe you will be lucky enough to feel a small earthquake while there, too.