Hawaii 6.0-magnitude earthquake: No tsunami threat, USGS confirms
Synopsis
A 6.0-magnitude quake rattled Hawaii's Big Island late Friday — widely felt across the islands — but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued no alert and the USGS confirmed zero impact on Mauna Loa or Kilauea. With 36 similar quakes in the region over 50 years, this is a reminder of Hawaii's persistent seismic reality, not an outlier event.
Key Takeaways
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck 12 km south of Honaunau-Napoopoo , Hawaii's Big Island, at 9:46 pm local time on 23 May .
The epicentre was at a depth of 22.4 km , per the United States Geological Survey (USGS) .
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued no tsunami warning ; Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda confirmed no tsunami risk.
The USGS confirmed no apparent impacts to Mauna Loa or Kilauea volcanoes.
Small aftershocks have occurred and may continue over the coming days.
At least 36 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater have struck within 100 km of the epicentre over the past 50 years .
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck 12 km south of Honaunau-Napoopoo on Hawaii's Big Island late on Friday, 23 May, but authorities have confirmed there is no tsunami threat to the US state. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not issue any tsunami alert following the tremor.
Key Details of the Quake
The earthquake hit at 9:46 pm local time, with its epicentre recorded at 19.34 degrees north latitude and 155.84 degrees west longitude, at a depth of 22.4 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was felt widely across the Hawaiian Islands.
'The earthquake was widely felt across the Hawaiian Islands ... There are no apparent impacts to Mauna Loa or Kilauea volcanoes,' the USGS said in an official statement.
No Volcanic or Tsunami Risk Detected
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda stated that the earthquake was not large enough to generate a tsunami for the Island of Hawaii. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre withheld all four levels of alert — information statement, watch, advisory, and warning — signalling that coastal populations faced no immediate danger.
Notably, a tsunami advisory would require the public to stay away from beaches and waterways due to strong currents, while a full warning would mandate moving to higher ground. Neither threshold was crossed on Friday.
Aftershocks Expected
Several small aftershocks have already occurred and may continue in the coming days, according to the USGS. Seismologists note this is consistent with typical post-seismic behaviour in the region.
Historical Seismic Context
Moderate to strong earthquakes are a recurring feature of Hawaii's geological landscape. Over the past 50 years, at least 36 other earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater have struck within 100 kilometres of Friday's epicentre. The Big Island sits atop one of the world's most active volcanic hotspots, making seismic activity structurally inevitable rather than anomalous.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and residents have been advised to stay alert for further aftershocks in the days ahead.
Point of View
Not episodic. With 36 magnitude-5.0-plus quakes in the same zone over five decades, the question for authorities is less about individual events and more about whether public preparedness infrastructure keeps pace with that baseline risk. The swift, coordinated response from the USGS and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre this time was reassuring, but the absence of a tsunami this Friday does not reduce the probability of one in the future. Hawaii's dual status as a volcanic hotspot and a major tourism destination makes sustained investment in early-warning systems a non-negotiable, not a budget line item to revisit after each close call.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there a tsunami warning issued after the Hawaii earthquake on 23 May?
No. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not issue any tsunami warning, advisory, or watch following the 6.0-magnitude earthquake. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda confirmed the quake was not large enough to generate a tsunami.
Where exactly did the Hawaii earthquake strike?
The earthquake struck 12 km south of Honaunau-Napoopoo on Hawaii's Big Island at 9:46 pm local time on 23 May. Its epicentre was at a depth of 22.4 kilometres, at 19.34 degrees north latitude and 155.84 degrees west longitude, according to the USGS.
Did the earthquake affect Mauna Loa or Kilauea volcanoes?
No. The USGS stated in an official release that there were 'no apparent impacts to Mauna Loa or Kilauea volcanoes' following the earthquake.
Are aftershocks expected after the Hawaii earthquake?
Yes. Several small aftershocks have already been recorded and the USGS has indicated they may continue in the coming days, which is consistent with typical seismic behaviour following a quake of this magnitude.
How common are earthquakes of this size in Hawaii?
Moderate to strong earthquakes are relatively common in Hawaii. Over the past 50 years, at least 36 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater have struck within 100 kilometres of Friday's epicentre, reflecting the region's position over an active volcanic hotspot.
