M 3.2 Minor Earthquake Strikes Near Pāhala, Hawaii
Areazine synthesizes this USGS earthquake report directly from USGS's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
A minor 3.2 magnitude earthquake occurred 10 km west-southwest of Pāhala, Hawaii, at a very shallow depth on Tuesday evening.
What this USGS earthquake report tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by USGS on April 6, 2026 and geographically references Hawaii. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Earthquakes - determines the monitoring protocol behind it, which shapes what follow-up action (checking for structural damage, watching for aftershocks, reviewing local building codes) is relevant and which agency holds authority over the assessment.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are earthquake, seismic, usgs, Hawaii.
What Happened
A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 (md) was recorded near Pāhala, Hawaii. The seismic event occurred at 06:52:45 UTC on March 18, 2026 (20:52:45 local time on March 17). The earthquake was centered at a depth of -0.18 km, which is classified as a very shallow event.
Location Details
The epicenter was located at coordinates 19.180°N, 155.575°W, approximately 10 km west-southwest of Pāhala. Shallow earthquakes, typically defined as those occurring at depths less than 20 km, are often felt more distinctly by those near the epicenter compared to deeper seismic events of the same magnitude.
Impact Assessment
According to the USGS, there were 3 felt reports recorded shortly after the event. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or threat associated with this earthquake. No specific alert level color was assigned to this event, and there are no reports of damage or injuries.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as "minor." While they are frequently felt by people in the immediate vicinity, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents in the area may experience light shaking. As with any seismic activity, minor aftershocks remain a possibility.
Source
Information and data provided by the USGS.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
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