Hawaii’s earthquakes are driven by active volcanism, especially around Kīlauea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island. This page pulls real records for Hawaii: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. 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.
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.