Hawaii’s earthquakes are driven by active volcanism, especially around Kīlauea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Hawaii.
What the record shows for Hawaii
The strongest earthquake on record near Hawaii is a magnitude 7.7 in 1975, centred 17 km SSW of Leilani Estates, Hawaii - 51 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 241 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Hawaii - roughly 12 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 18 tsunamis within 300 km of Hawaii between 1868 and 2018. The most significant was in 1868 near Hawaii, triggered by an M7.9 earthquake, which killed around 77 people.
7 volcanoes are catalogued near Hawaii, including Haleakala, Hualalai, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Kama'ehuakanaloa and 1 more. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Hawaii hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Hawaii - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Hawaii - FAQ
Is Hawaii at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 12 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.7 in 1975.
What was the biggest earthquake in Hawaii?
The strongest earthquake on record near Hawaii is M7.7, in 1975 (17 km SSW of Leilani Estates, Hawaii), from USGS.
Does Hawaii get tsunamis?
Yes - 18 tsunamis since 1868 (most recently 2018) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 77 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Hawaii?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.