Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

A friend who lives in a high rise near the convention center says she felt it early this morning.

[helen]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

I didn't feel it, but then again wasn't the Thanksgiving one a 5.0? Maybe this 4.4 wasn't that powerful to be felt here on Oahu.

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

There was a 4.4 earthquake early this morning off the coast of the Big Island:

http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/Quakes/hv00021772.html

A light earthquake occurred at 2:22:19 AM (HST) on Sunday, December 3, 2006 . The magnitude 4.4 event occurred 26 km (16 miles) W of Kawaihae.
The hypocentral depth is 8 km ( 5 miles).

Was this felt beyond the Big Island?

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

Sources close to the investigation say they are once again looking outside Hawaii for the source of the rumor, possibly Las Vegas, but at least one investigator fingered a locally-operated message board on the web, already known for attracting questionable characters. More on this story as it develops.

Where is this message board????

[pzarquon]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

What my brother heard in Las Vegas is quite unnerving. [...] Is the government withholding information from us about a potential mega disaster?

The investigation by federal and state law enforcement continues this week into the second earthquake rumor in as many weeks. Once again, civil defense phones were ringing off the hook over the weekend, as panicked residents reported receiving 'inside information' that reportedly indicated a major eruption of a long-dormant Big Island volcano was imminent. Some Hawaii County residents insisted they'd felt warmer-than-usual floors and roadways, indicating significant subterranean activity.

Sources close to the investigation say they are once again looking outside Hawaii for the source of the rumor, possibly Las Vegas, but at least one investigator fingered a locally-operated message board on the web, already known for attracting questionable characters. More on this story as it develops.

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

At this point in time I will agree that the possibility of Mauna Kea erupting is "bunk". I've also heard the Hualalai rumours too. That is slightly more likely to happen than Mauna Kea. However when a mountain is going to erupt, we usually can count on the Volcano Observatory to notify us of mountain inflation and the underground movement of magma building up.

I inquired with HVO after I heard the Hualalai rumors. They assured me they were not true. As they've not seen any evidence of any imminent eruption. But out of curiosity, I did forward your posting to HVO. I inquired with them if there is any validity to this Mauna Kea rumor.

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

At this point in time I will agree that the possibility of Mauna Kea erupting is "bunk". I've also heard the Hualalai rumours too. That is slightly more likely to happen than Mauna Kea. However when a mountain is going to erupt, we usually can count on the Volcano Observatory to notify us of mountain inflation and the underground movement of magma building up.

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

I think all these additional earthquakes are due to the fact that the 6.7 and 6.0 magnitude earthquakes that happened on October 15 have shaken nearby fault lines. Take note, the 6.7 magnitude Kiholo earthquake caused the 6.0 magnitude earthquake up by Mahukona shortly thereafter.

Ever since these mega earthquakes, I've heard rumors Hualalai is going to erupt.But there is no evidence pointing to that. It is simply the massive weight of the Big island on the earth's lithosphere causing these quakes. Thus I believe the Mauna Kea eruption rumor is a bunch of bunk.

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

So this morning my Mom calls me and told me that they were hit by another 3.1x sized earthquake on the Big Island last night. This one occurring near Pauuilo. No rumour, just fact as noted at the earthquake website.

Lately a lot of earthquakes have been occurring on the Northern end of the Big Island in places not usually connected to earthquake activity. In addition to the 5.0 trembler that shook us on November 23, people on the Big Island have been shaken by a series of 4 and 3.x sized quakes for the last 2 weeks. Some have occurred on the side opposite from the big ones occurring in Waikoloa.

Check it out on the now familiar map (which I screen captured):



And now the rumour:

What my brother heard in Las Vegas is quite unnerving. He called my Mom to tell her that someone from one of the Mauna Kea observatories said that "the mountain is hot". Mauna Kea is hot? While highly unlikely, the rumour goes that the mountain is slowly heating up and is getting ready to blow after more than 500,000 years of inactivity. He tells my Mom and Dad that they ought to move away from the Big Island and go to the mainland.

He further tells my Mom that the next time she goes out into her garden, dig a little hole to see if the earthworms are still alive. He says that if the earthworms are dead that means the ground is getting warm.

Now I know my parents home is several miles downslope from Mauna Kea on the 2,500 ft. elevation level. Mauna Kea peaks at 13,796 ft. Hasn't been an eruption there since mankind started recording history.

Still the tiny possibility remains... could she blow? Is the government withholding information from us about a potential mega disaster?

And what is it with all of these earthquakes occuring in places they normally don't happen?

Something to think about.

Reference: http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

Here is the link to the press release explaining reasons behind the closure of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Evidently after the October 15, 2006 earthquake, 140 of the 310 rooms were deemed unsafe. So the hotel was already was not at full capacity. Also I read some place that the repairs make take at least 18 months.

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was opened in 1964. On the day of the grand opening, the great Alaska earthquake of 1964 hit and everyone had to be evacuated because of the possible threat of a Pacific wide tsunami, which occurred but was not big enough as to cause major damage like the one on May 23, 1960.

I often wonder if any of our big high rises in Honolulu suffered hidden structural damage.

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

Thanks for the link... 420 people getting laid off is pretty harsh!

At least from what I read in the papers, the economy on that side of the island seems to be looking for labor that may fit these peoples abilities.

It makes you wonder if there is any other hidden damage at the the other hotels up in Kohala. Bear in mind this was uncovered 6 weeks after the big earthquakes.But again the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is much older than the other hotels. I believe it is at least 40 years old. Hopefully the hotel can be repaired in a matter of months than years.

[damontucker]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will have be closed indefinitely due to recently uncovered earthquake damage. link

Thanks for the link... 420 people getting laid off is pretty harsh!

At least from what I read in the papers, the economy on that side of the island seems to be looking for labor that may fit these peoples abilities.

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will have be closed indefinitely due to recently uncovered earthquake damage. link

[lavagal]

Re: Hawai'i and severe earthquakes

We need more Harry Kims. That guy is the essence of calm.