Magnitude 4.5 earthquake strikes off Kona, Hawaiʻi
If you searched earthquake now after Thursday night, here is what happened: a magnitude-4.5 quake struck off the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island at 8:17 p.m. HST on July 9, 2026, about 33 miles west-southwest of Captain Cook. Officials confirmed no tsunami threat and no expected damage.
Key Takeaways
- A magnitude-4.5 earthquake hit off South Kona at 8:17 p.m. HST on July 9, 2026, roughly 33 miles west-southwest of Captain Cook.
- The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said there was no tsunami threat and no damage was expected.
- Scientists revised the magnitude down from an initial 4.6 and corrected depth to about 24 miles below sea level.
- More than 200 felt reports reached the USGS within an hour, with shaking reported across the Big Island.
- The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the quake had no apparent impact on Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
What Happened During the Kona Coast Earthquake?
A magnitude-4.5 earthquake struck off the west coast of Hawaiʻi Island on Thursday evening, July 9, 2026, at 8:17 p.m. HST. Big Island Video News reported the event was centered about 33 miles west-southwest of Captain Cook in South Kona, at a depth of roughly 24 miles below sea level.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially listed the quake as magnitude 4.6 before scientists reviewed the data and lowered it to 4.5. The depth estimate was also corrected from an early report of about 4.5 miles to approximately 24 miles.
Hawaii News Now reported that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency logged the event at around 8:17 p.m. off the Kona coast. The USGS placed the epicenter offshore of Captain Cook. Both agencies emphasized that no damage was expected.
Was There a Tsunami Threat to Hawaiʻi?
No. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated the earthquake was not strong enough to generate a tsunami. Hawaii News Now confirmed HIEMA found no tsunami threat following the offshore jolt.
Residents who feel strong shaking near the coast should still follow standard safety guidance, but official sources said this event did not require evacuation. For authoritative updates, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory remains the primary scientific source for Hawaii seismic activity.
Why Did Scientists Call This a Deep Flexure Earthquake?
In a Volcano Watch column published July 12 in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists explained that Hawaiʻi Island has seen a series of widely felt deep earthquakes in recent months. The July 9 magnitude-4.5 event, located 34 miles west-southwest of Captain Cook at 24 miles depth, fits that pattern.
HVO scientists said the depth and location indicate a lithospheric flexure earthquake. That means bending of the ocean crust and upper brittle mantle under the weight of the Hawaiian Island chain released stored strain—not magma movement near Kīlauea or Mauna Loa.
The Observatory reported no apparent volcanic impact from this quake. That distinction matters for anyone tracking Hawaii's active volcanoes through modern monitoring networks covered in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.
How Many People Felt the Earthquake?
More than 200 people submitted felt reports to the USGS within an hour of the July 9 event, according to Big Island Video News. Shaking was reported across the Big Island.
The USGS Did You Feel It crowdsourcing tool helps scientists map intensity quickly after events like this. Combined with seismometer data from HVO, it gives residents near-real-time answers when an earthquake now search spikes across the islands.