On Saturday evening a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit the city of Volcano, Hawaii.
According to CNN, the region around the earthquake suffered five aftershocks . The largest of these after shocks registered at a 3.1-magnitude. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Hawaii has been experiencing earthquake over the last two weeks with 94 reported earthquakes . The strongest of which occurred on Saturday, June 27.
Magnitude 5.2 #earthquake hit near volcano village, #Kilauea volcano, Hawaii Sunday 29 June 2015.
— Dr John Seach (@johnseach) June 28, 2015
The city of Volcano lies on the boarder of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The national park is home to two active volcanoes. Including K?lauea, which is the most active, and one of the more famous of Hawaii’s volcanoes .
Earthquakes can cause a number of environmental damage and changes. An earthquake can cause a change in a volcano’s eruption pattern or cause tsunamis. So far, there has been no significant changes to the volcanoes in the national park. Also, the National Weather Service’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports that there is no tsunami warning at this time.
5.2 earthquake below the Kilauea volcano in #Hawaii reported at 10:10 pm HST. Get updates and see the panorama here: http://t.co/neGiXNdrhS
— The State Hornet (@TheStateHornet) June 28, 2015
According to Earthquake Report, magnitude-5 earthquakes are rare for this region of Hawaii .
“Update : Magnitude 5 earthquakes are happen rarely in this area and depth
Update : Extremely shallow and below the volcano edifice. Webcams on Kilauea are not showing an increase or decrease of the volcano activity but a closer look will have to be taken from now on.
Update : we do not expect any damage outside the National Park itself and even in the National Park the shaking will have been relatively innocent for a quake of this Magnitude. Main reason : the origin of the earthquake probably not being tectonic.”
According to those who felt the earthquake, it lasted a short while. Many in Volcano were woken up by loud noises and their houses shaking. Those in other towns reported strong-to-mild shaking. No damage has been reported so far.
Some are speculating the reason for the earthquakes. A few theories suggest that the volcanoes of the Hawai’i National Park may be ready to erupt. However, officials who monitor the volcanic activity state there has been no change in the activity.
[Image via CNN]