A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shakes the Big Island of Hawaii; A tsunami was not expected

A strong tremor was reported near the epicenter in South Kona, and the quake was widely felt throughout Hawaii Island, Maui and Oahu.

By Emily Speck, AccuWeather Staff Writer

Posted on May 23, 2026 at 10:45 AM EST | Updated May 23, 2026 at 10:50 AM EST

Lava fountains shot into the air from Halema’umau Crater on the morning of May 5, marking the latest of many eruptions that have occurred over the past year and a half.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook Hawaii’s Big Island late Friday evening, shaking several islands but not sparking any tsunami threat, officials said.

The quake occurred at 9:46 p.m. GMT on Friday, May 22, about 7 miles south of Honaunau-Napopu on Hawaii Island, according to the US Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was 14 miles below sea level.

A strong tremor was reported near the quake’s epicenter in South Kona, and the quake was widely felt across Hawaii Island, Maui and Oahu, according to USGS data and local reports. Thousands of residents have filed shaking reports with the USGS “Did you feel it?” System after the earthquake

The epicenter of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Hawaii, on May 22, 2026. (Photo: USGS)

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no tsunami was expected after the quake.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the quake occurred on the western side of Mauna Loa but had “no apparent impact” on the Mauna Loa or Kaluuya volcanoes. HVO said the depth, location and seismic waves indicate the quake was likely caused by pressure generated by the oceanic plate bending under the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, rather than a direct volcanic process.

A 3.2-magnitude aftershock was recorded several minutes later near the same area, and a 4.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded early Saturday morning south of Honaunau-Napopo, according to the USGS. It is possible for more aftershocks to occur after an earthquake of this strength.

This image from a video released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava erupting from Kilauea Volcano on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. (USGS via AP)

Early reports of damage were limited, but ABC News reported minor damage at Kona Community Hospital with no interruption to services. The outlet also reported downed utility lines and power outages affecting nearly 500 Hawaiian Electric customers in South Kona.

Earthquakes are common in Hawaii, where seismic activity can be linked to volcanic processes or deeper structural modifications caused by the weight of islands on the Earth’s crust. The state averages a magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquake every 10 years, according to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory.

Residents in areas that experienced shaking should check for structural damage, avoid downed power lines, and follow updates from local emergency officials.

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