Late-Night Jolt Off North Puna Rattles Nerves, Not Sirens

A late-night magnitude-4.3 earthquake shook offshore of the north Puna coast of Hawai‘i Island on Tuesday, but officials say it rattled more nerves than infrastructure and did not generate a tsunami threat.

The tremor hit at about 10:38 p.m. HST and was centered offshore near 19.7°N, 154.9°W. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and emergency officials quickly confirmed there was no tsunami danger.

Officials: No tsunami threat

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency took to X with a bold, all-caps “NO TSUNAMI THREAT” notice, listing the quake’s preliminary origin time, location and magnitude.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center followed with an informational bulletin that logged the event as a magnitude-4.3 earthquake at about 36 kilometers depth and reported there was no tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat for Hawai‘i. Officials advised residents to keep an eye on official channels in case anything changes.

What scientists say

Small earthquakes are part of everyday life around the Big Island as volcanic and tectonic forces slowly reshape the crust, and experts say a quake in the low 4 range rarely causes widespread damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory runs a dense seismic network across the island, using those instruments to sort out routine background rumbling from quakes that might signal something more serious and require an emergency response. Monitoring is ongoing so scientists can track any aftershocks or unusual activity tied to this event.

How to stay safe

Guidance from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center advises that if you felt shaking, you should give your home a quick safety check, secure heavy items that could topple in future quakes and stay away from shoreline areas until officials confirm everything is clear.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center notes that an “Information” message means an earthquake occurred but is not likely to produce a tsunami affecting Hawaiʻi. Residents are urged to follow the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for any official alerts and instructions.

Seismic monitoring will continue, and agencies say they will alert the public if conditions change. For now, officials report no tsunami danger from this offshore quake but recommend staying tuned to official channels just in case the story shifts.