earthquake hilo
There was a noticeable but moderate earthquake swarm near Hilo recently, including a quake strong enough for many residents to feel but not strong enough to cause expected damage.
What just happened near Hilo?
- A magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred late on January 26, 2026, local time, with an epicenter near Pāhala on the Island of Hawaiʻi, southwest of Hilo.
- The quake was about 33 km deep and was reported felt by more than 200 people, including in parts of Hilo (for example, the Kaumana area).
- No damage or tsunami was expected or reported from this event.
Recent earthquake pattern around Hilo
Monitoring pages for Hilo and the Big Island show a cluster of small quakes over the last several days, mostly magnitude 2–3, southwest and south- southwest of Hilo (Pāhala region and around Kīlauea). These are typical of ongoing volcanic and tectonic activity on the island.
Examples from the last few days near Hilo:
| Date & time (HST) | Magnitude | Approx. location vs. Hilo |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 27, 2026, 04:33 a.m. | M 2.1 | About 35 mi SW of Hilo | [1]
| Jan 26, 2026, 11:37 p.m. | M 4.2 | About 44 mi SW of Hilo, near Pāhala | [1][3]
| Jan 26, 2026, 09:34 p.m. | M 2.3 | About 46 mi SW of Hilo | [1]
| Jan 26, 2026, 04:45 p.m. | M 2.1 | About 37 mi WSW of Hilo | [1]
| Jan 26, 2026, 06:51 a.m. | M 2.0 | About 35 mi SSW of Hilo | [1]
Volcano and “bigger picture” context
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that Kīlauea is in an ongoing eruptive episode (Episode 41), with increased seismic tremor and shallow micro‑earthquakes beneath the summit area. This pattern suggests shifting magmatic pressure and episodic lava fountaining, not a sudden new crisis near Hilo itself.
A recent update describing the eruption notes:
Episode 41 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began around 11:10 a.m. on January 24, 2026, marked by a sharp increase in tremor and deflationary tilt, with lava fountains hundreds of meters high.
That kind of activity often comes with many small quakes, mostly too small to cause damage but sometimes noticeable as brief shakes in communities like Hilo, Pāhala, or Holualoa.
Forum and social chatter (“did you feel it?”)
Local forums and social spaces on the Big Island frequently light up with people comparing what they felt after these quakes. A common pattern in posts looks like this:
- Someone asks if others felt a sudden jolt or “minor slap.”
- Replies share rough locations (e.g., Holualoa, Waimea, Kaumana) and impressions like “quick jolt,” “brief but strong,” or “haven’t felt one like that in a while.”
- Others link to official event pages from USGS or local quake trackers to confirm the magnitude and epicenter.
For the late‑January 4.2 quake near Pāhala, comments include people in Hilo saying they clearly felt it but did not report damage.
Safety notes and what to do
If you are in or near Hilo and feel shaking:
- Drop, cover, and hold on if you are indoors (under a sturdy table, away from glass and heavy objects).
- If you are near the coast after a strong or long-lasting quake, move to higher ground and check official tsunami information, even though most deep Pāhala quakes do not generate tsunamis.
- For the most reliable, up‑to‑the‑minute information, check:
- USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updates for Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
- Real‑time earthquake lists for Hawaii or specifically for Hilo and the Big Island.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.