LOS ANGELES, May 23, (V7N) - A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Hawaii on Friday night, according to automated seismic data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The strong tectonic tremor occurred at 09:46 pm local Hawaiian time on Friday (0746 GMT Saturday). Federal scientists tracked the epicenter of the earthquake at a depth of 22.4 kilometers (14 miles), approximately 12 kilometers south of the coastal community of Honaunau-Napoopoo on Hawaii's main island.
Despite the significant magnitude of the underwater rupture, the National Tsunami Warning Center quickly issued a public advisory confirming there was no danger of a tsunami threatening the Pacific coastline or local island archipelagos. Emergency response agencies and local municipal authorities reported no immediate casualties, structural damage, or severe disruptions to public utility infrastructure following the shock.
Geological experts noted that while the Hawaiian island chain sits directly in the middle of the massive Pacific tectonic plate rather than along a volatile plate boundary, it remains one of the most seismically active zones on Earth. The unique volcanic hotspot currently feeds six active volcanoes across the region, including the highly active Kilauea volcano—a major tourist attraction famous for its consistent lava flows—and Mauna Loa, which is recognized globally as the largest active volcano on Earth.
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