Hawaii Big Island Hit by Magnitude 6 Earthquake Near Active Kilauea Volcano

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Hawaii’s Big Island late Friday, CNBC reported, prompting the United States Geological Survey to begin assessing the status of the Kilauea volcano. The quake hit near the coastal community of Honaunau-Napoopoo and was felt across multiple islands.

Shaking Felt Across the Island Chain

The tremor registered at a depth of roughly 23 kilometres, or about 14 miles, below the surface. Residents across Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu all reported feeling the ground shake. Despite the quake’s reach, no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage emerged in its aftermath.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that no tsunami threat was generated by the event. Authorities have not issued any evacuation orders connected to the seismic activity.

Kilauea Has Been Restless Since Late 2024

The timing of the earthquake drew particular attention given Kilauea’s recent behaviour. The volcano has been erupting on and off since December 23, 2024, making it one of the most continuously active volcanic systems on the planet. Scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory had already flagged heightened activity ahead of the quake.

In a forecast issued earlier on Friday, the observatory indicated that models pointed to another eruption occurring between May 24 and May 27. That narrow window places the current seismic event squarely inside a period of elevated geological concern for the region.

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What Authorities Are Watching Now

The USGS is conducting ongoing assessments to determine whether the magnitude 6.0 event has altered Kilauea’s eruptive timeline or internal pressure conditions. Volcanic earthquakes of this scale can sometimes accelerate or delay eruptive episodes, though scientists caution against firm predictions in fast-moving situations.

Hawaii’s Civil Defense agency has not issued any formal alerts beyond standard post-earthquake monitoring protocols. Residents near the volcano’s rift zones have been urged to stay informed through official USGS channels as the assessment continues.

The story remains active. Further updates on ground deformation, gas emissions, and potential lava activity are expected as the USGS completes its initial review of the seismic data.

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