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MEDIA RELEASE
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded a magnitude-4.0 earthquake located in the Ka‘ū District of the Island of Hawai‘i on Sunday, October 12, at 6:43 p.m., HST.
According to Wes Thelen, HVO’s Seismic Network Manager, this earthquake was centered about 11 km (7 mi) north of NÄ‘Älehu at a depth of 5.4 km (3.4 mi). A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/.
The earthquake was felt on the south part of the Island of HawaiÊ»i. The USGS “Did you feel it?” Web site (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/) received around 20 felt reports, mostly from the NÄ‘Älehu area, within an hour of the earthquake. Only weak shaking (Intensity III) has been reported around the epicenter. At these shaking intensities, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.
No aftershocks of the magnitude-4.0 earthquake have been recorded as of 9:30 p.m.
Over the past 50 years, the area north of Na`alehu has experienced 8 earthquakes, including today’s event, with magnitudes greater than 4.0 and at depths of 0–10 km (0–6.2 mi).
The earthquake caused no detectable changes in KÄ«lauea Volcano’s ongoing eruption or on Mauna Loa and other active volcanoes on the Island of HawaiÊ»i.
This event is a reminder for Hawaii residents to be prepared for earthquakes. The 2nd annual Great Hawaii Shakeout, scheduled for 10:16 a.m. on October 16, 2014, is an opportunity for people throughout the State to practice “Drop! Cover! Hold On!”—actions that are proven to reduce injury in an earthquake. For details, please visit shakeout.org/hawaii/.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
The USGS provides science for a changing world. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov
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