Minor M 3.2 Earthquake Reported Near Pāhala, Hawaii

What Happened

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 ml occurred near Pāhala, Hawaii, on March 19, 2026, at 00:33:29 UTC (March 18, 2026, at 2:33 PM local time). The seismic event was recorded by the USGS at an intermediate depth of 30.84 km.

Location Details

The earthquake was centered at coordinates 19.168°N and 155.490°W, approximately 4 km south-southwest of Pāhala, Hawaii. The event’s depth of 30.84 km is classified as intermediate (20-70 km). Intermediate-depth earthquakes typically cause less intense shaking at the surface than shallow events (less than 20 km) of the same magnitude.

Impact Assessment

According to the USGS “Did You Feel It?” service, there have been 10 reports from individuals who felt the shaking, with a Community Decimal Intensity (CDI) of 3.1. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect. 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 these events are often felt by residents near the epicenter, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents in the region should remain aware that aftershocks are a possibility following any seismic activity, though they are generally smaller than the initial quake.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.