Big Island Video News

Serving Hawaii County

  • Hawaiʻi Island News Regions
    • Hamakua
      • Mauna Kea
    • Hilo
    • Kau
    • Kona
    • Kohala
    • Puna



Video edited by BIVN, audio from HCCD

Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Rumbles At Kilauea Summit
Avatar photo

by Big Island Video News
on May 16, 2018 at 9:15 am

Subscribe to Big Island Video News (FREE)

* indicates required

STORY SUMMARY

HAWAII ISLAND - The temblor was located at the summit of Kilauea volcano and was not big enough to create a tsunami, officials say.

(BIVN) – An earthquake measured by the USGS at a preliminary Magnitude 4.4 struck the summit of Kilauea on Wednesday morning.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that the earthquake was NOT large enough to cause a tsunami for the Island of Hawaii. “There is NO tsunami threat for the island of Hawaii,” Hawaii County Civil Defense reported.

According to emergency officials, preliminary data indicated that the earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 4.2 and was centered in the summit region of Kilauea. The magnitude is likely to be revised as geologists take a closer look.

“As in all earthquakes, be aware of the possibility of after shocks,” civil defense said. “If the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, precautionary checks should be made for any damages; especially to utility connections of gas, water and electricity.”

The earthquake could be a part of the ongoing seismicity and deformation at the Kilauea summit. “Deflation is ongoing,” USGS reported this morning. “Several strongly felt earthquakes have occurred over the past day, likely caused by ongoing deflation of the summit area. These are expected to continue.”

From the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at 8:52 a.m. HST:

Yesterday, ash emissions from the Overlook vent inside Halemaumau varied greatly in intensity with abrupt increases likely associated with large rockfalls deep into the vent. A number of these periods of increased ash emission sent plumes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level, with the cloud drifting downwind and dusting communities from Pahala to Discovery Harbor with ash. Yesterday’s ash clouds were visible from many vantage points in east Hawaii. Because of the increase in ash emission and higher altitudes of ash, HVO assigned an aviation color code RED to indicated significant ash emission that is a hazard to aircraft. We are remaining at RED this morning anticipating further ash events which may continue for the foreseeable future. Communities downwind should expect intermittent ashfall.

This morning dense ballistic blocks up to 60 cm (2 feet) across were found in the parking lot a few hundred yards from Halemaumau. These reflect the most energetic explosions yet observed and could reflect the onset of steam-driven explosive activity. Further observations are necessary to asses this interpretation. Additional such explosions are expected and could be more powerful.


Filed Under: Breaking Tagged With: earthquake, Kilauea

LATEST NEWS

Hawaiʻi Warns: Fake FBI Bitcoin Scam Spoofs AG Phone Number

Five New Ambulances Added To Hawaiʻi County Fleet

Woman Cited For Taking Nēnē Gosling From Hilo Park

Organizations Selected For Funding To Address Homelessness

Kohala Blue Intros First Solar, Wind Powered Electric Sailboat In Hawaiʻi

Health Officials Say Certain Asian Sauces Sold In Hawai‘i Are Recalled

About Big Island Video News

  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in