M 4.4 Light Earthquake Recorded 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 magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck 13 km east-southeast of Pāhala, Hawaii, on March 16, 2026. The event was felt by over 100 people with no tsunami threat reported.
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 "medium" 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 light earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 (ml) occurred near Pāhala, Hawaii, on March 16, 2026, at 03:16:18 UTC. The seismic event originated at a depth of 29.06 km.
Location Details
The epicenter was located at coordinates 19.1458°N, 155.3693°W, approximately 13 km (8 miles) east-southeast of Pāhala. The depth of 29.06 km is classified as an intermediate-depth earthquake (20-70km), which often results in less intense surface shaking than shallower events of the same magnitude.
Impact Assessment
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake has been assigned a "green" alert level, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or significant economic damage. As of the latest update, 114 individuals have submitted "Did You Feel It?" reports to the USGS. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect following this event.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes of this magnitude (M 4.0–4.9) are characterized as light. While they are often felt and can cause noticeable shaking, they rarely result in significant structural damage. Residents in the region should remain aware of the possibility of aftershocks. In the event of further shaking, safety officials recommend the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" protocol.
Source
Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
Related Earthquakes
All Earthquakes →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this USGS earthquake report.