Hawaii is known for its volcanoes, beaches, and tropical climate, but it is also prone to earthquakes. The Hawaiian Islands are located on the Pacific oceanic tectonic plate, which is slowly moving northwest over a hotspot of molten rock in the Earth’s mantle.
This hotspot creates volcanic activity and also causes the islands to bend and stress the crust and upper mantle, resulting in earthquakes.
The 2024 Mauna Loa Earthquake
On February 9, 2024, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the southern flank of Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii. The earthquake, which was initially reported as magnitude 6.3, was centered 11 miles (18 km) south of Naalehu, at a depth of 6 miles (10 km). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami was expected.
The earthquake was felt widely across the Big Island and even in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, about 200 miles (322 km) to the north. Some people reported feeling dizzy, while others said items fell off shelves and power was cut in some areas. However, there were no reports of serious damage or injury, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
The earthquake was likely caused by the weight of the Hawaiian Islands bending and stressing the Earth’s crust and upper mantle, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. This is similar to the cause of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off Kiholo Bay on the Big Island’s northwest coast in 2006, which damaged roads and buildings and knocked out power as far away as Honolulu.
The History of Earthquakes in Hawaii
Hawaii has experienced many earthquakes throughout its history, some of which have been devastating. The largest earthquake ever recorded in Hawaii was a magnitude 8.0 event that occurred on April 2, 1868, near the southern coast of the Big Island.
The earthquake triggered a massive landslide that buried a village and killed 31 people. It also generated a tsunami that killed 46 more people and destroyed many coastal communities.
Another major earthquake occurred on October 15, 2006, when a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the northwest coast of the Big Island, followed by a magnitude 6.0 aftershock. The earthquake caused widespread damage to buildings, roads, bridges, and utilities, and injured 28 people. It also triggered rockfalls and landslides that blocked highways and damaged parks and trails. The earthquake was felt throughout the Hawaiian Islands and as far as California.
The Future of Earthquakes in Hawaii
Hawaii will continue to face the risk of earthquakes as long as the Pacific plate moves over the hotspot and the islands grow and deform. Scientists monitor the seismic activity and the volcanic activity of the islands, especially Mauna Loa, which last erupted in late 2022. Mauna Loa is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, as it has the potential to produce large and explosive eruptions that could affect millions of people.
Conclusion
Hawaii is a beautiful and diverse state, but it is also vulnerable to earthquakes. The 2024 Mauna Loa earthquake was the biggest earthquake to ever shake Hawaii, but it was not the most destructive. Hawaii has experienced larger and more damaging earthquakes in the past, and it will likely face more in the future. Therefore, it is important for residents and visitors to be informed and prepared for earthquakes and their consequences. By doing so, they can enjoy the paradise of Hawaii without fear.
