M2.9 Earthquake 11 km W of Kalaoa, Hawaii — May 19, 2026
2026-05-19 02:19:14 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 4:19 PM UTC-10 local
Felt by 20 people across nearby locations.
On May 19, 2026 at 02:19 UTC, a magnitude 2.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 11 km W of Kalaoa, Hawaii, at a depth of 9.1 km and coordinates 19.7137°, -156.0940°. This earthquake was detected by 46 seismic stations with moderate location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 138, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 2.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 362 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 62 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 20 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
-156.0940°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 2.9 earthquake near Kalaoa, Hawaii?
The magnitude 2.9 earthquake that struck 11 km W of Kalaoa, Hawaii on May 19, 2026 at 02:19 UTC had a depth of 9.1 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 19.7137°, -156.0940°, which is 11 km W of Kalaoa, 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.
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: hv74963592). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 19, 2026). M2.9 Earthquake 11 km W of Kalaoa, Hawaii — May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/hv74963592/