There is no tsunami hazard from the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck south of Big Isle

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck south of Hawaii island today, but according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, there is no tsunami hazard.

According to the United States Geological Survey, strong shaking was felt across Hawaii Island and most of the other islands. Residents across Oahu felt the tremor, and within an hour following the quake, over 1,300 reports of shaking had been sent to the USGS "Did you feel it?" reporting system.

The original tremor was followed by a magnitude 4.3 quake in the same location, as well as at least five further aftershocks of magnitude 2.5 or greater.

The first earthquake struck at 11:49 a.m. today off the Big Island's Kau coast, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. According to the US Geological Survey, it was centered 22 miles deep and about 17 miles south-southeast of Naalehu and 64 miles south-southeast of Kailua-Kona.

The USGS first assigned a magnitude of 6.1 to the quake, but later increased it to 6.2.

The earthquake is unrelated to the continuing eruption of Kilauea volcano, according to Ken Hon, scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Except for a few minor rockfalls observed within Halemaumau crater, webcams and other data streams show no influence on the eruption, he said.

According to Hon, the quake is most likely related to the bending of the oceanic plate due to the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, which is a regular cause of earthquakes in this area. It also explains why it was felt so widely, according to him.

At a depth of 22 miles, the greatest aftershock occurred about three miles north of the magnitude-6.2 earthquake. Officials say more aftershocks are possible.

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or more to strike Hawaii was the 6.9 quake on May 4, 2018, which signaled the start of the three-month-long devastating East Rift Zone eruption.

While the Hawaii County Civil Defense claimed there were no reports of damage this afternoon, the USGS said the strength of the recorded shaking might have caused "quite minor damage to houses or (poorly constructed) structures."