Hawaii's Mauna Loa Struck by Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake

Strong Earthquake Hits Southern Flank of Mauna Loa Volcano

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the southern flank of the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island, startling residents and causing power outages. The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded the quake as a 6.3 magnitude at a depth of 23 miles. The tremor, centered 1.3 miles southwest of Pahala, did not trigger a tsunami and did not result in any significant damage.

Impact on Residents and Surrounding Areas

The shaking rattled nerves, causing items to fall off shelves and affecting approximately 300 customers with a power outage in Naalehu. The event occurred less than two hours before a separate 4.6 magnitude quake struck Southern California.

While earthquakes are not uncommon in Hawaii due to various factors such as magma movement, scientists believe the bending and stressing of the Earth's crust and upper mantle due to the weight of the Hawaiian Islands likely caused this quake. The earthquake didn’t affect either Mauna Loa or neighboring Kilauea, according to the observatory.

Widespread Impact and Resilience

Surprisingly, despite the intensity of the tremor, there was no visible damage to roads or visitor centers in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Hawaiian Islands are constructed from successive volcanic eruptions over millions of years, with the vast majority of earthquakes happening on and around the Big Island. As a mostly rural area, the Big Island is home to cattle ranches, coffee farms, and resort hotels and occasionally experiences seismic events.

This earthquake, however, was strong enough to be felt in Honolulu, over 200 miles away. The mayor of the Big Island, Mitch Roth, was in Honolulu during the earthquake and initially thought he was experiencing side effects from a medical procedure. Meanwhile, the owner of a variety store in Naalehu reported that the shaking knocked down items but didn't cause significant damage. Although the earthquake was intense, it didn't result in widespread destruction, showcasing Hawaii's resilience in the face of natural calamities.