M2.6 Earthquake 12 km NE of Pāhala, Hawaii — May 22, 2026
2026-05-22 23:49:05 UTC (10 hours ago) · approx. 1:49 PM UTC-10 local
Felt by 43 people across nearby locations. Aftershock of the M6.0 mainshock.
On May 22, 2026 at 23:49 UTC, a magnitude 2.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 12 km NE of Pāhala, Hawaii, at a depth of 31.5 km and coordinates 19.2715°, -155.3820°. This earthquake was detected by 43 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 112, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 2.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 116 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 37 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 2 hours ago 13 km S of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 9 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
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 43 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
-155.3820°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 2.6 earthquake near Pāhala, Hawaii?
The magnitude 2.6 earthquake that struck 12 km NE of Pāhala, Hawaii on May 22, 2026 at 23:49 UTC had a depth of 31.5 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 19.2715°, -155.3820°, which is 12 km NE of Pāhala, Hawaii. View all earthquakes in Hawaii.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 2.6 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 2.6 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 2.6 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: hv74966127). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 22, 2026). M2.6 Earthquake 12 km NE of Pāhala, Hawaii — May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/hv74966127/