Small earthquake shakes Big Island

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Staff Writer

POHAKULOA, Hawaii – A Big Island earthquake under Mauna Kea volcano was felt though much of South Kohala and parts of the Hamakua coast early today but caused no reported damage.

Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the 4:18 a.m. temblor was occured 19 miles below the surface, two miles north of Pohakuloa, a Marine and Army training base between Hilo and Kona.

The event was initially rated a 4.2 magnitude quake, but was later downgraded to 3.9. Stuart Koyanagi, a seismologist, said the shaker was strong enough to be felt but not powerful enough to cause any significant damage.