2.9

M2.9 Earthquake 4 km SW of Kahaluu-Keauhou, HawaiiSeptember 15, 2025

2025-09-15 19:49:55 UTC (2025-09-15) · approx. 9:49 AM UTC-10 local

Felt by 11 people across nearby locations. Aftershock of the M6.0 mainshock.

MagnitudeM2.9(ml)
Time19:49 UTC9:49 AM UTC-10
Depth4.1 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates19.547°, -155.995°
Felt by11DYFI responses
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On September 15, 2025 at 19:49 UTC, a magnitude 2.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 4 km SW of Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii, at a depth of 4.1 km and coordinates 19.5470°, -155.9947°. This earthquake was detected by 34 seismic stations with moderate location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 130, placing it among routine seismic activity.

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 2.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 315 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 59 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 6.0 mainshock that occurred 5 days ago 13 km S of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 17 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.

The epicenter is located in Hawaii, a region characterized by intraplate volcanic activity over the Hawaiian mantle plume hotspot, with seismicity driven by magma intrusion and flank instability. View all earthquakes in Hawaii.

Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 19.55°, -155.99°

Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking

Aggregated felt-report intensity from 11 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.

USGS DYFI community-reported intensity map for the M2.9 earthquake near 4 km SW of Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii

Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
2.9 ml
Depth
4.1 km
shallow crustal
Location
19.5470°N
-155.9947°E
Felt Reports
11
DYFI responses
Community Intensity
2.5
CDI from reports

Technical Information

Event ID
hv74776597
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
130
Stations Used
34
Azimuthal Gap
257.0°
Min Station Distance
0.106°
RMS Residual
0.25 sec
Last Updated
2025-12-03 03:58:40 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 2.9 earthquake near Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii?

The magnitude 2.9 earthquake that struck 4 km SW of Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii on September 15, 2025 at 19:49 UTC had a depth of 4.1 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.

Where did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake epicenter was located at 19.5470°, -155.9947°, which is 4 km SW of Kahaluu-Keauhou, Hawaii. View all earthquakes in Hawaii.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 2.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Is this the same earthquake as the M6.0 one earlier?

No. This magnitude 2.9 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 13 km S of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.

Has Hawaii had earthquakes this big before?

The largest recorded earthquake in Hawaii was the M7.9 Ka'u District earthquake of April 2, 1868. Today's magnitude 2.9 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: hv74776597). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, September 15, 2025). M2.9 Earthquake 4 km SW of Kahaluu-Keauhou, HawaiiSeptember 15, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/hv74776597/