A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off Hawaii's Kona coast on October 15, 2006, triggering a minor tsunami and a major 6.1 aftershock.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 6.7 Mw
- Depth
- 38.2 km
- Max Mercalli Intensity
- VIII (Severe)
- Largest Aftershock
- 6.1 (7 minutes after main shock) Mw
- Tsunami Height
- 100 mm
- Distance from Kailua-Kona
- 21 km
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake resulted from tectonic stresses beneath the Big Island of Hawaii, a volcanically and seismically active region. The rupture originated at a depth of 38.2 km, approximately 21 km southwest of Puakō and offshore of Kona Airport, in a zone subject to periodic large earthquakes.
On October 15, 2006, at 07:07:49 local time, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck just offshore of Kona Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii, reaching a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). Seven minutes later, a magnitude 6.1 aftershock followed, with additional smaller aftershocks continuing thereafter.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center detected a nondestructive tsunami measuring 100 mm (4 inches) along the Big Island coast. The event caused widespread disruption across the island but the relatively deep hypocenter and offshore location limited the severity of surface damage compared to the intensity of shaking.