A 4.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Hawaii’s Big Island Amid Pacific Storms
Authorities reported no immediate damage and no tsunami warnings were issued.
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred on Hawaii’s Big Island early Thursday, coinciding with the monitoring of two swiftly developing storms in the Pacific.
The earthquake was centered nine miles south of Fern Forest, a small community with around 1,100 residents, and struck at 12:52 a.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Over 300 individuals reported feeling the quake across the Big Island shortly after it occurred, with some reports also coming from neighboring islands. Fortunately, there were no significant damage reports, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the quake posed no tsunami risk.
The U.S. Geological Survey added that the earthquake did not appear to affect the Mauna Loa or Kilauea volcanoes. Recent warnings from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory indicated increased activity at Kilauea, which last erupted on July 3 and continued for several days.
This seismic event comes at a time when officials are keeping an eye on a developing storm system, including a Category 3 hurricane, that is moving toward Hawaii.
About 1,000 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, meteorologists noted that a cluster of thunderstorms was organizing, as reported by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. This system is expected to develop further in the coming days and is likely to approach the Hawaiian islands by late this weekend or early next week.
“People in Hawaii should closely follow this weather disturbance, although it’s too soon to predict its exact path and potential effects,” the Central Pacific Hurricane Center recommended.
Meanwhile, approximately 1,000 miles to the east of this storm system is Hurricane Gilma, a robust storm that is expected to maintain its intensity at least through the week while moving through open waters.
“If this system continues to hold together, it may not be a concern for Hawaii until the end of the month,” said AccuWeather hurricane specialist Alex DaSilva.