A strong earthquake struck near the southern part of Hawaii’s Big Island late on May 23, 2026, briefly shaking communities across the state and prompting immediate monitoring from scientific and emergency agencies.
According to reporting from Reuters, the quake registered around magnitude 5.9 and was centered near Honaunau-Napoopoo, a coastal area on the Big Island. The tremor occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which is one of the reasons it was widely felt across multiple islands, including Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Oʻahu.
Widespread shaking, but no tsunami threat
Despite the intensity of the shaking, officials confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center assessed the event and determined that it did not displace enough water to generate a dangerous wave.
Residents across the state reported feeling the quake, with some describing strong, rolling motion lasting several seconds. In certain areas near the epicenter, there were reports of minor structural damage and aftershocks following the main event, according to seismic monitoring updates.
Ongoing scientific monitoring
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) quickly reviewed the earthquake and continued monitoring the region for aftershocks. Because Hawaii sits on a volcanic hotspot, seismic activity in the area is closely watched for any potential relationship with nearby volcanoes such as Mauna Loa and Kīlauea.
At the time of the initial reports, there was no indication that the earthquake directly triggered volcanic activity, though experts routinely evaluate these events for any changes in subsurface conditions.
What may have caused the quake
Preliminary analysis suggests the earthquake was not volcanic in origin, but instead related to tectonic stress within the Earth’s crust beneath the Hawaiian Islands. This type of stress builds as the oceanic plate bends under the weight of the island chain, eventually releasing energy in the form of earthquakes.
While earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in Hawaii, events like this serve as a reminder of the region’s unique geological setting. The islands are located in one of the most active seismic and volcanic zones in the United States, where both deep volcanic processes and tectonic forces shape daily geological activity.
Authorities continue to monitor for aftershocks, which are typical following an earthquake of this size.
