Hawaii's Volcano Alerts: Earthquake Distances and Tsunami Response Timings Compared
Tsunami Warning in Hawaii: Understanding the Risks and Responses
Hawaii, known for its beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes, has a history of being affected by tsunamis. While many tsunamis in Hawaii's past were triggered by distant earthquakes, there are instances where local seismic events have caused significant damage.
One of the most notable locally generated tsunamis occurred in 1868, when a magnitude-7.9 earthquake beneath Mauna Loa volcano in the District of Ka'u resulted in landslides and a local tsunami that affected the entire south coast of the Island of Hawaiʻi, causing nearly 100 deaths.
More recently, a magnitude-7.2 earthquake in 1975 beneath the south flank of Kilauea volcano generated a tsunami with maximum wave run-up heights of about 14 meters (47 feet). Two people were tragically killed, and many more were injured.
In 2011, the magnitude-9.0 Tohoku, Japan earthquake generated a tsunami with maximum wave heights of about 3.6 m (12 feet) in Hawaii.
As of now, Kilauea has been erupting episodically within the summit caldera since Dec. 23, 2024, with its USGS Volcano Alert level at WATCH. Episode 29 of the Kilauea summit eruption in Halema'uma'u crater occurred on July 20. Inflation since the end of episode 29, along with persistent tremor, suggests that another episode (episode 30) is likely to start between July 31 and August 3.
However, it's important to note that Mauna Loa is not erupting, and its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Hawaii's history includes at least one major locally generated tsunami event with significant fatalities (1868), and evidence of prehistoric megatsunamis caused by local volcanic activity and landslides that have shaped the island's geological features and risk profile.
In the event of a tsunami warning, it's crucial to head for higher ground immediately and wait for emergency management agencies to sound the all-clear before returning to the shoreline. Receding water could be a sign of an impending tsunami wave to follow.
Improved earthquake detection and tsunami monitoring, along with streamlined emergency communication techniques, have reduced the risk of people being injured or killed by tsunamis. However, it's essential not to wait for sirens or cell phone alarms in Hawaii, as the tsunami could occur before there is time for those alerts to be sent.
In recent times, tsunamis impacting Hawaii have often been triggered by distant quakes, such as the 2025 tsunami warnings following a massive earthquake off Kamchatka, Russia; however, those were not locally generated.
Remember, if you are near the shore in Hawaii and feel strong shaking from a large earthquake, the time to respond before the tsunami arrives could be minutes. Stay safe and informed.
[1] [https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/hawaiivolcanoobservatory/research/tsunami/tsunami-history.html] [2] [https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/hawaiivolcanoobservatory/research/tsunami/tsunami-history.html] [4] [https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/hawaiivolcanoobservatory/research/tsunami/tsunami-history.html]
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