A 3.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Kaiwi Channel between Oahu and Molokai on Tuesday at 1:53 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The earthquake occured in the ocean 14 miles off the west-northwest point of the village of Maunaloa on Molokai at a depth of 5 miles below sea level.
The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said there was no tsunami threat as a result of the earthquake.
The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes on Hawaii Island, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
The HVO described the shallow earthquake as occuring beneath the Kaiwi Channel and said earthquakes in this region are not common, but have occurred occasionally in the past 200 years. Earthquakes in the Kaiwi Channel are caused by the bending of the crust beneath the islands and associated adjustments related to the weight of the islands.
People on X reported feeling the earthquake on Oahu. The HVO also said people on Molokai, Maui and Hawaii Island reported feeling the earthquake.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. (Dec. 4, 2024)