Earthquakes Near Honolulu Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Checking live USGS data near Honolulu…
Why Honolulu gets earthquakes
O'ahu is far quieter seismically than the Big Island — Honolulu residents feel an earthquake only every few years, almost always originating 150+ miles southeast near Hawai'i Island's active volcanoes. The 2006 Kīholo Bay M6.7 blacked out O'ahu's power grid for most of a day.
Local O'ahu quakes are rare but not unknown, and the more practical hazard is tsunami: both locally generated waves from Big Island flank earthquakes and distant tsunamis from Alaska, Chile, or Japan, which is why Honolulu's sirens and evacuation zones exist.
Honolulu earthquake FAQ
▸Did Honolulu just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Honolulu and answers in one line. Keep in mind USGS data lags real shaking by roughly 2–3 minutes in California and up to ~8 minutes in other regions — if you felt something seconds ago, refresh shortly.
▸What faults cause earthquakes near Honolulu?
Honolulu has few local faults; most felt quakes originate near the Island of Hawai'i's volcanoes, like the 2006 Kīholo Bay M6.7 that cut O'ahu's power. Tsunamis from Pacific-wide sources are historically the larger threat to the city.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Honolulu, HI?
Close to the epicenter, people typically begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 2.5–3.0. An M4+ is felt across a wide area and rattles objects; M5+ can damage buildings near the epicenter. Shallow quakes feel stronger than deep ones of the same magnitude, and soft soils amplify shaking.
▸What should I do if I feel an earthquake in Honolulu?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get low, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. Afterward, check for hazards like gas leaks, and expect possible aftershocks. If you're in a coastal area and the shaking is strong or lasts a long time, move inland or to high ground. Official guidance: ready.gov/earthquakes.