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Seismic Activity Reported South of Hawaiʻi Island Over the Weekend

Increased seismic activity beneath Kamaʻehuakanaloa (Lōʻihi) seamount, south of the Island of Hawaiʻi, began at approximately 2:00 a.m. HST on Saturday, July 16. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected seismic tremor marked by pulses of seismic energy every 15-20 seconds. Approximately 24 hours after this activity began, two dozen M1.8-M3.0 earthquakes occurred from 1:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 17th.
In a statement HVO Scientist-in-Charge Ken Hon said, “This seismic activity is likely the result of magma movement beneath Kamaʻehuakanaloa seamount and currently shows no sign of leading to an eruption. If the swarm intensifies or changes significantly, HVO will issue an additional notice. Because of the great depth of the volcano within the ocean and style of Hawaiian eruptions, an eruption of Kamaʻehuakanaloa would pose no threat to the Island of Hawaiʻi. Neither Mauna Loa nor Kīlauea volcanoes show any change in activity associated with this earthquake swarm.”
EARTHQUAKE SWARM DESCRIPTION:

Magnitude range: up to M3.0 (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv73077912)
Date and time: Starting at 2:00 a.m. HST on July 16, 2022, and ongoing
Location: 27 mi (44 km) SE of Nāʻālehu
Depth: 1-10 mi (2-16 km) below sea level
Number of located events: 24 as of this writing

INTENSITY OF EARTHQUAKES AND AFFECTED AREAS:

Potential Damage: No damage to buildings or infrastructure expected based on earthquake intensity
Maximum Modified Mercalli Scale Intensity: I—no shaking felt (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale)
Felt Reports: None (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/)
Felt Area: Not felt