Hawaii Rocked by 4.6-Magnitude Earthquake: What You Need to Know

A light, 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck in the North Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The temblor happened at 2:14 a.m. Hawaii time about 11 miles southeast of Pāhala, Hawaii, data from the agency shows.

U.S.G.S. data earlier reported that the magnitude was 4.8.

This area experienced a relatively strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake less than a month ago that destroyed local water infrastructure.

As seismologists review available data, they may revise the earthquake’s reported magnitude. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity map.

Subsequent quakes have been reported in the same area. Such temblors are typically aftershocks caused by minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.

Aftershocks can occur days, weeks or even years after the first earthquake. These events can be of equal or larger magnitude to the initial earthquake, and they can continue to affect already damaged locations.

Sources: United States Geological Survey (epicenter, aftershocks, shake intensity); LandScan via Oak Ridge National Laboratory (population density) | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Hawaii time. Shake data is as of Wednesday, June 17 at 2:45 a.m. Hawaii time. Aftershocks data is as of Wednesday, June 17 at 6:15 a.m. Hawaii time.