Updated at 6:46 a.m., Monday, June 18, 2007
13 minor quakes overnight on Big Island
Advertiser Staff
Twelve minor earthquakes, the biggest registering a 3.2-magnitude at the U.S. Geological Survey at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, have been reported on the Big Island today as of 6:15 a.m. and a 13th earthquake registering 2.5 was reported shortly after 3 a.m. 26 miles west/north of Kailua off the Big Island's coast.The quakes come on the heels of 260 earthquakes that occurred Sunday, forcing the closure and evacuation of Volcanoes National Park.
Officials are meeting at 8 a.m. to decide whether it is safe to reopen the park. Scientists are concerned that the recent spate of quakes may be indicating a major eruption is in the near future.
Today's quakes started when three of four struck within two minutes, starting at 12:42 a.m. and ending at 12:44 a.m. The first two registered 2.8 and 2.7, respectively.
The biggest quake of the morning was just 3.2 in magnitude.
