Earthquake rocks Big Isle's Ka'u area

Advertiser Staff and News Services

PAHALA, Hawai'i — A moderate earthquake rocked the eastern side of the Big Island Friday but caused no known damage or injuries, police said.

Seismologist Paul Okubo of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the 10:14 p.m. event tentatively registered a 4.5 magnitude and was part of a continuing series of earthquakes in the Ka'u district.

The earthquake was centered at a depth of about 6 1/2 miles, six miles west of Pahala.

Okubo called the area is "very active" because of what he described as a "seaward sliding" of the Ka'u coast.

The Pahala community has been shaken frequently by earthquakes, including seven "felt" events since July 30. They followed a April 16, 1999, earthquake that measured 5.6 and damaged several homes, destroying one.