M 4.0 Earthquake Recorded 49 km SSW of Kaumakani, Hawaii

What Happened

A light earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 ml occurred on February 23, 2026, at 18:25:00 UTC (8:25 AM local time). The seismic event was centered in the ocean south-southwest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 21.5333°N, 159.8651°W, approximately 49 km south-southwest of Kaumakani, Hawaii. The event originated at a shallow depth of 7.919 km. Earthquakes occurring at depths of less than 20 km are classified as shallow and are typically felt more distinctly at the surface than deeper events.

Impact Assessment

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the event has a “green” alert level, indicating a low probability of fatalities or economic losses. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or threat in effect following this earthquake. The maximum estimated intensity was recorded at 2.718 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, suggesting weak shaking.

What You Should Know

Earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and 4.9 are classified as “light.” While they are often felt by people in the vicinity, they rarely cause significant structural damage. Residents in the region should remain aware that aftershocks are a common occurrence following seismic activity, though they are usually smaller than the initial event.

Source

Data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.