Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Near Maunaloa Road Confirmed Unrelated to Volcanic Activity
A magnitude 4.0 earthquake occurred on November 30 near Maunaloa Road in Hawaii, confirmed as unrelated to volcanic activity. The quake did not affect Maunaloa or Kīlauea volcanoes and generated approximately 130 felt reports from residents in various locations.
On Saturday, November 30, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck approximately 11 miles west-northwest of Volcano, Hawaiʻi, occurring at a depth of 13 miles beneath the surface. The quake took place at 8:40 a.m. near the top of Maunaloa Road, specifically south of the Northeast Rift Zone of Maunaloa. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) confirmed that this seismic event is not related to any magmatic activity and did not affect the Maunaloa or Kīlauea volcanoes. An initial assessment noted around 130 reports of residents feeling the tremor from locales including East Hawaiʻi, the Puna district, Hilo, the Hamakua coast, and parts of North Kona and southern Kaʻū.
The occurrence of earthquakes in Hawaiʻi is not unusual, especially considering its volcanic landscape. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory closely monitors seismic activity to ascertain potential correlations with volcanic eruptions. In this specific case, the HVO has emphasized that the magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Maunaloa does not indicate any ongoing volcanic processes, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in seismology and volcanology in the region.
In summary, the recent 4.0 earthquake near Maunaloa Road was evaluated by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which determined that it is unrelated to volcanic activity. Residents reported feeling the earthquake across various districts, but it was confirmed that neither Maunaloa nor Kīlauea volcanoes were impacted, underscoring the resilience of Hawaii’s geological systems. Continued monitoring of seismic activities remains crucial.
Original Source: mauinow.com
