Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

1958 Quarterly Administrative reports

Introductory Note By Thomas L. Wright and Jennifer S. Nakata

Compiled By Jennifer S. Nakata

Summary 9

January, February, and March 1958

By Jerry P. Eaton and George D. Fraser

Summary 10

April, May, and June 1958

By Jerry P. Eaton and George D. Fraser

Summary 11

July, August, and September 1958

By Jerry P. Eaton and Harold L. Krivoy

 Summary 12

October, November, and December 1958

By Jerry P. Eaton and Harold L. Krivoy

Open-File Report 2007-1318

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Mark D. Myers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2007

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INTRODUCTORY NOTE

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Summaries have been published in the current format since 1956. The Quarterly 

Summaries (1956 through 1973) and the Annual Summaries (1974 through 1985) were originally published as Administrative Reports. These reports have been compiled and published as U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Reports. 

The quarterly reports have been combined and published as one annual summary. All the summaries from 1956 to 

the present are now available as .pdf files at http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod.

The earthquake summary data are presented as a listing of origin time, depth, magnitude, and other location parameters. Network instrumentation, field station sites, and location algorithms are described. Tilt and other deformation 

data are included until Summary 77, January to December 1977. From 1978, the seismic and deformation data are 

published separately, due to differing schedules of data reduction. 

There are eight quarters—from the fourth quarter of 1959 to the third quarter of 1961—that were never published. 

Two of these (4th quarter 1959, 1st quarter 1960) have now been published, using handwritten notes of Jerry Eaton 

(HVO seismologist at the time) and his colleagues. The seismic records for the remaining six summaries went back to 

California in 1961 with Jerry Eaton. Other responsibilities intervened, and the seismic summaries were never prepared.

Chronology

The following Kïlauea eruption chronology covers the two recent reports and the six missing quarters:

Location Beginning Date Ending Date Comment

Kïlauea Iki crater (Kïlauea’s summit) 11/14/1959 12/20/1959 19 eruptive episodes

Kapoho (lower east rift zone) 1/13/1960 2/18/1960 4 eruption stages

Halemaumau (Kïlauea’s summit) 2/24/1961 2/24/1961 Intermittent activity during 

uninterrupted inflation following the 1960 eruption

Halemaumau (Kïlauea’s summit) 3/22/1961 3/25/1961 Same as above.

Halemaumau (Kïlauea’s summit) 7/10/1961 7/17/1961 Same as above.

Heiheiahulu (middle east rift zone) 9/22/1961 9/25/1961 First historical east rift eruption at this location

The 1959-1960 eruptions were among two of the most spectacular Kïlauea eruptions. The HVO staff was kept busy 

with acquisition of unusually high quantities of instrumental data and observations of the two sequences, which 

were separated by less than one month. Even with a year’s interval before the beginning of the summit-east rift sequence in 1961, the staff never caught up, and the seismic records were set aside for later study. 

A total of 1,672 earthquakes—1,106 for 1960 and 566 for 1961—are part of HVO’s cataloged database. The annual 

listings have been appended to the 1st Quarter Report of 1960 and to the 4th Quarter Report for 1961. The number of 

earthquakes is probably low, biased toward the larger magnitudes. The entire HVO catalog, including 1960 and 1961, 

is accessible from the ANSS CATALOG SEARCH site at http://www.ncedc.org/anss/catalog-search.

 Thomas L. Wright and Jennifer S. Nakata 
UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY

SUMMARY 9

January-March 1958

By

J. P. Eaton and D. Fraser

,

N

J

I. Howoiion Volcano Ob..rvotory

2. Whitney Laboratory of seilrnolo9y

3. U..kohuno seilmovroph Itolion

4. Heodquort.rl Howoii Notionol Park

ApuoPoint

Contour interYOII,ooO feet

Dafum is m«Jn $'(1

TOPGVrophy by U. S. GeoloVicOI Survey

• Seilmogroph Itotion

a City, town, or villoge

II locality

,/ Rood

Map of the Island of Hawaii, showing location of the Hawaiian

Volcano Observatory, seismograph stations operated by the

observatory, and localities mentioned in text.

I.:

,{

l

,

t

.

fl.
II

I

,:\' . ,"

.•• ' I

...

-
o

8

Mar. 31,

U i P 10:40:44.7

170 N, W, 10:30:56

Depth about 100 km.

4<'989

I

,

I

<"I.

'I

il

PREFATORY NOTE

This summary of observations made at the Hawaiian Volcano

Observatory is published for the use of volcanological and seismological observatories and others interested in the data at intervals shorter

than once a year. Those who wish to receive this summary should

request inclusion on the mailing list from the Director, U. S. Geological

Survey, Washington 25, D. C.

1. Chronological Summary

January

Most of the 239 earthquakes registered by seismographs at

Uwekahuna during January were very small. The chief sources

of this weak seismic activity were Kilauea caldera and the

Kaoiki fault zone west of the caldera.

An earthquake from a focus 25 km beneath Kilauea caldera at

2:27 a. m. on January 14 was felt along the north rim of the

caldera. At 4:54 a. m. on January 20 an earthquake from an

epicenter near Laupahoehoe was felt at Hakalau.

The largest earthquake in the Hawaiian area during January

was not reported felt. It originated 15 km southeast of Hana,

Maui, at a depth of about 45 km at 9:26 p. m. on January 19.

At 12:54 p. m. on January 28 an earthquake occurred beneath

the ocean about 220 km south of Kalapana. This epicenter lies

farther southeastward along the prolongation of the Hawaiian

chain tha.n that of any earthquake reported.

Gentle southeasterly tilting of the earth's surface at the Whitney station replaced the' moderate southerly tilting normal for

January.

February

Seismographs at Uwekahuna recorded 292 earthquakes during

February. As in previous months most of these earthquakes

were very small and originated at shallow depths beneath Kilauea

caldera or along the Kaoiki fault zone west of the caldera.

1
from the northeast rim of Kilauea

onal Park Headq.uarters at 2:11 p.m.

earthquake of the month, which

Naalehu at a depth of about 35 km,

oa on February 15 at 4:49 p. m.

on earthquake from an epicenter

s felt at :Kamuela.

w focus 8 krn northeast of Ulupau

ts of windward Oahu at 4:01 a. m.

e northeast .rim of Kilauea caldera,

was in the southwesterly direction

uch weaker than usual.

arch

vity at Kilauea caldera and along

ccounted for most of the 226 earth

phs at Uwekahuna during March.

t 9:44 a. m. on March 9 originated

pana.

an unusual epicenter, 5 km west

flank of Mauna Kea, was recorded

from March 9 to March 14. Of the

hat were magnitude 2.5 or larger,

aa. These earthquakes were felt

13 p.m.on March lI,at 9:06 p.m.

and at 8:10 a. m. on March 13.

an earthquake from a focus 20 km

few km east of Kilauea caldera.

center 10 km northeast of Apua

p. m. on March 29.

of the earth's surface recorded

mal for March.

E Minutes of continuous 

magnitude

<2.5 tremor·

63 0

65 0

45 0

51 41

43 0

105 13

60 0

2

1

J'

4'.'

Feb. 1,

U eP 18:14:38.8

is 18:24:18

eR 18:38:28

20 N, 790 W, 18:02:39

Magnitude 6% - 7 (Pas)

Feb. 1,

V 20:57:39

eS 21:07:28

eQ 21 :18

eR 21:20:48

N, 790 W, 20:45:45

Magnitude 6% (Pas)

Feb. 2,

U eP 08:20:46

eS 08:28:02

eR 08:34:17

N, E, 08:11:53

Magnitude (Pas)

Feb. 7,

U i P 23:36:14.0 c

N, 1040 E, 23:23:30

Feb. 12,

U eP 23:50:47.6

eS 23:56:53

eR 24:00:07

520 N, 1750 W, 23:43:45

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

Feb. 15,

V eP 01:56:02.9 d

eS 02:03:47

eR 02:10:50

44° N, 1470 E, 01:46:40

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

Feb. 16,

U eP 06:14:06

eS 06:22:00

eR 06:29:50

390 N, 1420 E, 06:04:05

Magnitude 6 - (Pas)

7

Feb. 22,

U i P 10:57:17.6 c

is 11:02:51

eQ 11:04:31

i R 11:05:55

Tmax 11:57:06.2 c

N, 175 0 W, 10:50:23

Magnitude 6% (Pas)

Feb. 23,

U eP 10:57:37,,4 c

240 N, E, 10:47:40

Feb. 24,

U eP 12:39:53.2

450 N, 990 E, 12:27:06

Mar.3,

U i P 16:26:44.8 d

N, E, 16:18:17

Magnitude (Pas)

Mar. 3,

U eP 17:41:15

N, 1660 E, 17:32:47

Mar. 9,

U eP 10:31:34

eS 10:39:57

eL 10:47:36

340 S, W, 10:22:25

Depth about 60 km.

Magnitude - 6% (Pas)

Mar. 11,·

U eP 00:37:29.5

epP 00:37:52.4

is 00:46:55

eQ 00:55:45

i R 01 :00:12

N, 1250 E, 00:25:56

Depth about 60 km

Magnitude 7 (Pas)
6

.]an. 19,

U eP 14:55 :16

is 15:05 :06

iR 15:21:21

N, W, 14:43:24

Magnitude 6% (Pas)

Jan. 23,

U i P 09:01:14.7 c

H iP 09:01:17.3 c

S, 170° E, 08:52:23

Depth about 150 km.

Jan. 24,

U eP 06:02:42.9 c

is 06:09:36

i R 06:15:51

N, 1630 E, 05:53:58

Magnitude (Pas)

Jan. 26,

U eL 04:10:21

54°,S, 1330 W, 03:35:21

Jan. 27,

U eP 07:51:29

eS 07:57:31

i R 08:01 :21

15° S, 1740 W, 07:43:58

Magnitude 6% (Pas) I

Jan. 30,

U eS 06:30:50

eL 06.:38:30

S, E, 06:13:24

Magnitude (Pas)

Feb. 1,

U i P 16:22 :08.0 d

eS 16:31:50

eSS 16:36:40

eQ 16:42:21

i R 16:44:58

20 N, W, 16:10:15

Magnitude 6% - 7 (Pas)

!

I

i

I

-if--(

Table-Continued

Minutes ofWeek Number of Earthquakes continuous

beginning magnitude ?2.5 magnitude <2.5 tremor*,

Feb. 16 3 68 51

23 1 49 0

Mar. 2 3 25

9 14 84

°

9

16 3 43 0

23 1 34

• Recorded at Uwekahuna on a vertical component electr,?magnetlc °

seismograph with a peak magnification of 20,000 and galvanometer

and seismometer periods of 0.5 second.

3.. Tilt coordinates· at seismograph stations on the rim of Kilauea

caldera.

Whitney station Uwekahuna station

(northeast rim) (west rim)

N-S E-W N-S. E-W

Jan. 5 500 500 500 500

12 497 500 499 500

19 496 502 500 504

26 495 504 500 502

Feb. 2 497 499 50'1 499

9 495 501 503 499

16 495 503 502 498

23 492 501 504 497

Mar. 2 491 498 507 490

9 493 503 504 490

16 488 497 502 491

23 483 491 503 488

30 480 491 503 490

* All tilt coordinates were arbitrarily set equal to 500 on January 5,

1958. Increasing tilt coordinates correspond to northward and eastward tilting of the earth's surface: i.e. to a relative subsidence toward the north and east.

A one unit change in coordinate reveals a

tilting of one part per million (one mm per km) in the direction indicated.

LOCAL EARTHQUAKES

The data for the following local earthquakes were determined

from seismographs operated by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the islands of Ha:waii and MauL Except for smaller

earthquakes of special interest; only earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.5 or greater were included in the list. The entries

for a given earthquake are: date, origin time (Hawaiian standard

time), epicenter, and general remarks.

3
DISTANT EARTHQUAKES

The following earthquakes of distant origin were recorded on

seismographs of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Hawaii

(U=Uwekahuna, 190 25.4 tN, 1550 17.6 t W, 1240m), andMaui

(H

= Haleakala, 200 46.0 TN, 15.0 TW, 2090m). Beginnings

of phases are given in Greenwich civil time, which is 10 hours

faster than Hawaiian standard time.

A "c· following the time

of

P indicates that the first motion was a compression; a ftd",

that it was a dilatation. Locations of epicenters, origin times,

focal depths, and magnitudes are from the notices of Preliminary

Determinations of Epicenters published by the U. S. Coast and

Geodetic Survey.

Mar. 12. 5 km west of Keanakolu. Magnitude 2.6.

Mar. 12, 21:05:46,. 5 km west of Keanakolu. Felt at Honokaa. Magnitude 2.9.

Mar. 12) 5 km west of Keanakolu. Magnitude 2.5.

Mar. 12, 23:19:20! 5 km west of Keanakolu. Felt at Honokaa. Magnitude 2.9.

Mat. 13, 08:10:21. 5 km west of Keanakolu at a depth of about IS km.

Felt at Honokaa. Magnitude 3.1.

Mar. 13, 11:06:41, 5 km west of Keanakolu. Magnitude 2.5.

. Mar. 1?, 15:08:33, Near Puu Kulani at a depth of about 20 km. Felt

j usc east of Kilauea caldera. Magnitude 2.7.

Mar•. 14, 00:14:31. 5 km west of Keanakolu. Magnitude 2.5.

Mar. 16, 19:34:11. 10 km south of Puu 0 Keokeo at a depth of about

5 km. Magnitude 2.7.

Mar. 19, 08:48:47. 35 km south of the Mauna Loa seismograph station

at a depth of 35 km. Magnitude 3.2.;

Mar. 20, 23 :46:01. 5 km northeast of Apua Point at a depth of about

5 km. Magnitude 2.7.

Mar. 29, 13 :29:46. 10 km northeast of Apua Point at a depth of about

5 km. Felt in Hilo. Magnitude 3.0.

of Mi10Iii a depth of about 15 km.

.9.

fault. Magnitude 2.8.

. Magnitude 2.7.

of Kilauea 13 km southwest of Kala

depth of about 5 km. Magnitude 2.5.

of Milolii at a depth of about 15 km.

2.9.

of Kalapana at a depth of about 15 km.

2.8.

uea caldera at a depth of about 25 km.

Hawaii National Park Headquarters.

2.6.

u Koae at a depth of about 30

2.7.

ast of Hana, Maui, at a depth of about

gnitude 3.7.

hoehoe at a depth of about 15 km.

alau. Magnitude 2.5.

of Kalapana. Magnitude 3.3.

m of Kilauea caldera at depth of 2 km

Felt at Hawaii National Park Head

nd Kilauea Military Camp. Magni

Hana, Maui. Magnitude 3.0.

east of Naalehu at a depth of about

at Naalehu and Pahoa. Magnitude 3.9.

Kilauea caldera at a depth of about

gnitude 2.7.

west of Honokaa at a depth of about

t at Kamuela. Magnitude 3.0.

of Apua Point at a depth of about

gnitude 2.8.

st of Ulupau Head, Oahu, at a shallow

t on Oahu. Magnitude 3.7.

of Kilauea caldera at a depth of about

gnitude 2.8.

f Pahala at a shallow depth. Magni

west of the Mauna Loa seismograpli

depth of about 5 km. Magnitude 3.1.

of Kilauea 15 km southwest of Kala

epth of 5 km. FeIt in Hilo. Magni

Keanakolu. Felt at Honokaa. Magni-·

Puu Koae at a depth of about 30 km.

.0.

Keanakolu. Magnitude 2.5.

Keanakolu. Magnitude 2.6.

Keanakolu. Felt at Honokaa. Magni

4

t\··

·t, .,. ,:'." ..'-'

-J

I

Jan. 5,

U eP 08:16:41.7

2

0 N, E, 08:05:11

Depth about 550 km.

Jan. 11,

U i P 113:37:33.4 c

is 13:34:16

S, 1770 W, 13:18:47

5

Jan. 13,

U eP 00:09:49.2

N, 1770 E, 00:02 :24

Depth about 100 km.

Jan. 13,

U eP 03:03:19.9

eL 03:16:26

7

0 N, 830 W, 02:52:40
UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATOR1

SUMMARY 10

April-Julle 1958

By

J. P. Eaton and George D. Fraser

EXPLANATION

N

J

• Seismograph station I. Howoiian Volcana Observatory

• City. lown tor villaQe 2. Whitney Laboratory of Seismolo9Y

• Locality 3 Uwekohuna HismaQraph statian

Road •. Headquarters Hawaii National Pork

Kalae (South) Point

Contour interval 1.000 feet

Datum is mtHIn $.0 Iw,l

TOPOQrophy by U.S. GeolOQical Survey

Map of the Island of Hawaii, showing location of the Hawaiian

Volcano Observatory, seismograph stations operated by the

observatory, and localities mentioned in text.
I

I

,1 .

June 26,

U iP 04:46:58.6 c

ipP 04:47:27

iR 05:00:20

N, E, 04:38:12

Depth slightly greater than normal

Magnitude - 6% (Pas)

June 26,

U eR 23:55:15

310 N, E, 23:29:32

June 27,

U eP 05:55:03

eR 06:14

130 N, 88720 W, 05:44:28

Depth about 60 km

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

o

9

June 29,

U eR 09:34

S, 1720 W, 09:14:37

June 30,

U eS 18:44:05

iR 18:50:05

310 N, E, 18:26:20

Magnitude (Pas)

.. 7266
8

June 15,

U iP 15:01:57

is 15:07:50

H iP 15:02:02

180 S, W, 14:54:37

Depth about 600 km

Magnitude (Pas)

June 16,

U eQ 08:29:46

eR 08:31:36

S, W, 08:13:07

June 17,

U eP 19:16:30

eR 19:33:43

250 N, E, 19:06:43

Depth about 60 km

June 19,

U eP 05:26:53

eS 05:33:48

eR 05:39:09

N, 1560 E, 05:18:00

Magnitude (Pas)

June 20,

U eQ01:04:25

eR 01:07:45

160 S, 1730 W, 00:47:58

June 25,

U eP 09:47:03.2 d

eS 09:55:30eQ 10:02:10

iR 10:04:50

H iP 09:46:59.6 d

30 S, E, 09:36:30

Magnitude 6X - (Pas)

r PREFATORY NOTE This summary of observations made at the Hawaiian Volcano Observ- atory is published for the use of volcanological and seismological observatories and others interested in the data at intervals shorter than once a year. Those who wish to receive this summary should

request inclusion on the mailing list from the Director, U. S. Geological

Survey, Washington 25, D. C.

1. Summary of Volcanic Conditions

April

Increased seismic activity near Kilauea caldera was respon"

sible for most of the 920 earthquakes recorded during the month

by seismographs at Uweokahuna. On April 1 about 200 small

earthquakes accompanied by several hours of weak spasmodic

tremor originated at a depth of about 60 km a few km north of

Uwekahuna. Most of the other earthquakes during April were

very small and originated at shallow depths in or near Kilauea

caldera.

An earthquake felt in Hilo at 6:07 a.m. on April 21 stemmed

from a focus 5 km northwest of Apua Point and 15 km deep.

The largest earthquake of the month was felt over most of the

island of Hawaii at 3:07 a.m. on April 24. It originated beneath

the ocean· 5 km north of Laupahoehoe at a depth of about 25 km.

At the Whitney station gentle northerly tilting of the earth's

surface replaced the gentle southerly tilting normal for April.

May

Most of the 440 earthquakes registered by seismographs at

Uwekahuna during May were very small and originated at shallow

depths in or near Kilauea caldera.

The largest earthquake of the month originated 10 km south

of Mokuaweoweo at 12:33 a.m. on May 19.

No earthquake was reported felt during May.

Weak westerly tilting of the earth's surface recorded at the

Whitney station was normal for May.

1
une

recorded 310 earthquakes during

Kilauea caldera were less numer

shallow foci along the north rim

that region on June 3. The first

ond, at 10:55 p.m.

month originated 5 km southeast

15 km at 11 :04 a.m. on June 17.

e earth's surface at the Whitney

ortherly tilting normal for June.

arthquakes* Minutes of continuous 

majtnitude < 2.5 tremor'*

250 270

250 0

144 0178 0

129 0

185 0

131 0

43 0

39 4

41 0

39 5

36 37

117 5

vertical component electromagnetic

tion of 20,000 and galvanometer and

.

mograph stations on the rim of

ation Uwekahuna station

rim) (west rim) 

E-W N-S E-W

493 503 491

494 504 491

493 503 492494 504 489

496 506 491

494 506 486

495 507 486

493 507 485

2

f

1

'-'"

May 17.

U eQ 07:27:26

eR 07:30:16

3

0 S, E, 07:02:25

May 18,

U eP 02:41:52

eS 02:48:57

eQ 02:53:35

eR 02:55:26

130 S, 1670 E, 02:32:52

Magnitude - (Pas)

May 18

U eR 03:54

130 S, 1670 E, 03:31:18

May 18,

U eR 05:50

13°S, 1670 E, 05:26:44

Depth about 60 km.

May 18,

U eP 12:30:18

eS 12:37:25

eQ 12:42:05

eR 12:43:40

130 S, 1670 E, 12:21:18

Magnitude 6 - (Pas)

May 19,

II eR 00:28:35

13° S, 1670 E, 00:06:00

May 22,

U eQ 15:33:32

eR 15:36:08

3

0 S, 1460 E, 15:08:00

May 25,

U eR 00:51:46

N, 1770 W, 00:35:23

Magnitude - (Pas)

May 25,

U eR 15:10:46

N, 1770 W, 14:54:30

7

May 25,

U eP 21:23:49

eS 21:33:51

i R 21:48:28

3

0 S, 770 W, 21:11:45

Depth about 100 km.

Magnitude (Pas)

May 26,

U iPup 11:03:31.0 c

Tmax 11:41:10

H ePdn 11:03:18.6 d

Tmax 11:39:12

530 N, W, 10:56:30

Magnitude 6 - (Pas)

May 29,

U eP 07:08:44

N, W, 06:59:11

May 30,

U eP 16:23:19

250 N, 1220 E, 16:11:40

Depth about 100 km

May 30,

U eP 18:11:43

is 18:17:08

iQ 18:19:14iR 18:20:12

Tmax 18:49:12

H Tmax 18:47:06

N, 1690 W, 18:04:50

Magnitude 6 -

May 31,

U iP 19:41 :28 c*

is 19:48:41

iQ 19:52:31

iR 19:54:41

Tmax 20:35:10

150 S, 1690 E, 19:'32:30

Magnitude (Pas)

*c on long period vertical

d on short period vertical
Ap,.28,

U eP 12:00:20

eS 12:10:49

eQ 12:23:23

eR 12:27:29

110 S, 740 W, 11:47:40

Magnitude (Pas)

May 1,

U i P 00:37:49.6 c

HiP 00:37:51.9 c

S, E, 00:29:15

Depth about 200 km.

Magnitude (Pas)

May 6,

U eQ 00:10:36

eR 00:11:56

Tmax 00:44:02

H Tmax 00:42:48

N, W, 23:53:29 (May 5)

May 9,

U eR 01:11:55

N, '1', 00:44:12

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

May 10,

U eQ 23:12:42

eR 23:15:49

650 N, W, 22:54:40

Magnitude (Pas)

May 11,

U eQ 05:43:49

eR 05:45:44

65 0 N, W, 05:23:54

Magnitude - (Pas)

May 12,

U eP 18:37:51

120 N, 1620 E, 18:37:58

6

Whitney station Uwekahuna station Week (northeast rim) (west rim) beginning N-S E-W E-W

June 1 489 492 503 4MB

8 492 497 501 490

15 492 497 502 488

22 490 498 506 488

29 489 497 510 482

• All tilt coordinates were arbitrarily set equal to 500 on January 5,

1958. Increasing tilt coordinates correspond to northward and eastward tilting of tbe earth's surface: i.e. to a relative ,subsidence toward the north and east.

A one nnit change in coordinate reveals

a tilting of one part per million (one mm per km) in tbe direc don indicated.

LOCAL EARTHQUAKES

The data for the following local earthquakes were de'termined

from seismographs operated by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the islands of Hawaii and Maw. Except for smaller

earthquakes of special interest, only earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.5 or greater were included in the list. The entries

for a given earthquake are: date, origin time (Hawaiian standard

time), epicenter, and general remarks.

Apr. 1, 10:18:56, 5km north of Uwekahuna at a depth of about60km.

Magnitude 2.5. This is the largest of several

hundred small earthquakes originating at this

location between 04:00 and 18:00 on Apr. 1.

Apr. 3, 10:16:12, southwest rift of Mauna Loa near Puu 0 Keokeo

at a depth of about 5 km. Magnitude 2.7.

Apr. 4, 00:25:51, beneath the summit of Kohala Mountain at a depth

of about 35 km. Magnitude 2.7.

Apr. 8, 11:35:12, 200 04 r N, 1570 W, about 140 km soutb of Honolulu.

Magnitude 3.0.

Apr. 15, 11:13:50, 5 km northwest of Apua Point at a depth of about

5 km. Magnitude 2.8.

Apr. 18, 07:57:41, on the Kealakekua fault 5 km south of Kealakekua

at a depth of about 5 km. Magnitude 2.5.

Apr. 21, 06:06:36, 5 km northwest of Apua Point at a depth of about

15 km. Felt in Hilo. Magnitude 3.2.

Apr. 24, 03:06:33, beneath the ocean 5 km north of Laupahoehoe at

a depth of about 25 km. Felt over most of the

island of Hawaii. Magnitude 4.3.

Apr. 26, 18:29:43, 10 km southwest of Kiholo Bay at a depth of about

15 km. Magnitude 2.5.

Apr. 27, 20:53:24, Kealakekua fault at a depth of about 5 km. Magnitude 3.2.

3
DISTANT EARTHQUAKES

The following earthquakes of distant origin were recorded on

seismographs of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Hawaii

190 25.4' N, 1550 17.6' W, 1240m), and Maui

(H =Haleakala, 200 46.0 ' N, 1560 15.0' W, 2090m). Beginnings

of phases are given in Greenwich civil time, which is 10 hours

faster than Hawaiian standard time.

A ftc" following the time

of

P indicates that the first motion was a compression; a ftd",

that it was a dilatation. Locations of epicenters, origin times,

focal depths, and magnitudes are from the notices of Preliminary

Determinations of Epicenters publis'hed by the U. S. Coast and

Geodetic Survey.

5 km south of Kealakekua at a

15 km. Magnitude 2.5_.

polu Point. Magnitude 2.8.

Keahole Point at a depth of about

ude 2.5.

of KealakekuaBay. Magnitude 2.5.

ahala at a depth of about 5 km.

20' W, a'bout 80 kmwest of Kalae.

ilauea about 45 km south of Hilo

bout 5 km. Magnitude 3.0.

Mokuaweoweo at a depth of about

ude 3.2.

t of the Mauna Loa seismograph

allow depth. Magnitude 2.7.

awaii about 15 km south-southeast

depth of about 5 km. Magnitude 2.6.

auea caldera at a shallow depth.

rth rim of Kilauea caldera. Mag

auea caldera at a shallow depth.

rth rim of Kilauea caldera. Mag

muela at a depth of 35 km. Mag

of Ohaikea at a depth of about

de 3.0.

hwest of Naalehu at a depth of

ude 2.9.

28' W, about 15 km southeast

depth of 35 km. Magnitude 3.3.

vious quake. Magnitude 2.7.

aalehu at a depth of 5 km. Mag

keo at a depth of about 15 km.

ilua. Magnitude 2.7.

of Ahuaumi at a depth of 15 km.

45 'W, about 40 km south of Cape

gnitude 2.4.

00' W, about 125 km northeast of

3.1.

53 W, about 50 km south of pahoa.

"'

Apr. 7,

U eP 15:39:12.8 c

is 15:46:05

i Q 15:49:30

iR 15:51:55

H eP 15:38:59.6 c

eS 15:45:45

eQ 15:49:10

eR 15:5t:05

N, 1570 W, 15:30:38

Magnitude 7 (Pas)

Apr. 7,

U eP 18:14:46

eS 18:22:40

N, 1430 E, 18:05:02

Apr. 9.

U i P 06:22:38

N, 1390 W, 06:15:12

Apr. 10,

U eR 23:37:19

S, 1070 W, 23:12:47

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

Apr. 11,

U iP 23:20:19 c

eS 23:27:24

eR 23:33:18

N, E, 23:11:26

Depth about 100 km

Magnitude (Pas)

5

Apr. 12,

U is 12:01:06

eQ 12:04:13

eR 12:05:23

N, 1110 W, 11:46:58

Magnitude (Pas)

Apr. 13,

U eP 09:15:55

660 N, 1560 W, 09:07:24

Magnitude 6% (Pas)

Apr. 13,

U eP 12:37:45

is 12:44:43

i R 12:50:38

530 N, 1610 E, 12:29:07

Magnitude (Pas)

Apr. 14,

U eP 21:44:26

is 21:54:11

iSS 21:59:06

eQ 22:04:10

eR 22:07:28

1

0 N, W, 21:32:28

Magnitude 7 (Pas)

Apr. 15,

U eP 01:42:39

eS 01:52:22eSS 01 :57:13

eR 02:05:50

1

0 N, W, 01:30:43
UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSEllVATORY

SUMMARY 11

July-Septelllber 1958

J. P. Eaton and Harold L. Krivoy I

N

J

I. Hawaiian IIolcano Observatory

2. Whitney Laboratory of

3. Uwekahuna seismograph slation

4. Headquarters Hawaii Notional

15 MIUS

EXPLANATION

Contour 1,000 feet

Dotum is 1n.1

Topography by U.S GeoloQical Survey

& Seismoqroph stalion

a Cily. lown, or village

LOCality

Rood

Kalae (Saulh) Poinl

,1

Map of the Island of Hawaii, showing location of the l-Iawaiian

Volcano Observatory, seismograph stations operated by the

observatory, and localities mentioned in text.
Sept. 19,

U i P 08:24:34.0 d

2Y7.° N, 1270 E, 08:12:33

sept. 25,

U ePS 07:48:58

eSS 07:54:34eG 08:05:38

eR 08:10:48

90 N, W, 07:20:01

Magnitude (Pas)

Sept. 20,

U iP

is

eQ

iR

HiP17:19:02.8 c 17:26:45 17:31:25 17:34:21 17:19:01.5 c

o

Sept. 24,

U eP

eS

iQ

iR

Tmax

03:52:20

03:58:29

04:01:07

04:02:45

04:35:51

Erratwn: Tilt coordinates for the Whitney station reported in

Summary 10, April-June 1958, were in error. Correct

coordinates are as follows:

Whitney station

Date (northeast rim)

N-S E-W

.A.pr. 6 476 487

13 475 484

20 476 482

27 475 484

May 4 473 481

11 475 481

18 474 478

25 476 483

June 1 471 480

8 472 477

15 472 477

22 472 478

29 472 4RO

13
Sept. 9,

U eR 11:55:18

46° N, 151° E, 11:32:05

Sept. 9, fJ u eR 22:41:48

54° N, 171° E, 22:23:37

Sept. 11,

U eR 18:34:39

N, 12672° E, 18:01:44

Sept. 14,

U iP 14:32:58

eR 14:56:51

57° N, 121° E, 14:21:37

Magnitude {Pas}

Sept. 15,

U eQ 05:58:30

8Y2° N, 10372° W, 05:36:18

Sept. 15,

U iP 19:57:11.8 c

epP 19:59:24

isP 20:00:26

eS 20:06:38

eSP 20:07:29

esS 20:10:47

esPS 20:21:23

H iP 19:57:08.7

2Y2° N, 120720 E, 19:45:40

Depth about 600 km

Magnitude 6 - {Pas}

Sept. 17,

fit"

U eR 12:46:13 .

48Y2° N, 1550 E, 12:23:50 t

ti

12

PREFATORY NOTE

This summary of observations made at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is published for the use of volcanological and seismological

observatories and others interested in the data at intervals shorter

than once a year. Those who wish to receive this summary should

request inclusion on the mailing list from the Director, U. S. Geological

Survey,-Washington 25, D. C.

1. Chronological Summary

July

The first week of July brought the most impressive seismic

display recorded in Hawaii since the end of the 1955 eruption

of Kilauea. From July 3 through July 6 a great swarm of small

earthquakes accompanied by many hours of spasmodic tremor

stemmed from a source about 10 km northeast of Kilauea caldera

and 55 km deep. Although 48 of these earthquakes were larger

than magnitude 2.5, the largest being magnitude 3.4, none was

reported felt. Seismographs in the Mauna Loa station and in the

new ftDesert" station 4 km southwest of Mauna Iki recorded over

2100 separate earthquakes and almost 60 hours of nearly continuous spasmodic tremor during this swarm. On seismographs

nearer the caldera in the Outlet and Uwekahuna stations the

swarm was less impressive. Fewer earthquakes were discernable

at these stations; and records of earthquakes that were recorded

were smaller and had less distinct

P phases than at Mauna Loa

or Desert. Short period earthquake waves such as those characterizing these earthquakes are strongly attenuated when they

pass up through the crust beneath Kilauea caldera.

Seismographs at Uwekahuna registered about 1100 earthquakes

during July. 150 of these quakes originated at shallow depths

beneath the caldera during the last week of the month.

An earthquake from a focus about 12 km south of Cape Kumukahi and 35 km deep was felt in Hilo, Pahoa, and the Volcano

district at 2:12 p. m. on July 2. The largest earthquake of the

month, magnitude 3.8, occurred about 55 km west of Kailua, Kona,

1
as felt in Kealakekua. The earth

8 p. m. on July 16 originated about

pth of 35 km.

ce at the Whitney station on the

a was about normal for July.

ugust

es recorded by seismographs at

re very small and stemmed from

aldera.

in the vicinity of Kilauea caldera

hese originated about 5 km south

station at a depth of about 30 km

he other two occurred about 15 km

ugust 20; the first, at 9:46 a. m.

e month originated near Hookena

t had a magnItude of 3.8 and was

ook.

g recorded at the Whitney station

ember

registered by seismographs at

Most of these earthquakes orig

, and some of them had unusually

8 an earthquake with a magnitude

ong the northeast rim of Kilauea

Hawaii National Park Headquarters.

another earthquake from the same

nal Park Headquarters.

A magni

est of the month, that occurred

epth of 25 km was felt from Hilo

September 28.

ing of the earth's surface recorded

mal for September.

.'

,'0;(:

f

Aug. 17,

U iP 21:21:18.1 c

eR 21:40:48

S, W, 21:11:09

Aug. 19,

U eP 04:55:48

eS 05:01:29

iR 05:07:31

190 S, 1750 E, 04:45:45

Aug. 19,

U eR 16:22:45

N, W, 16:06:18

Aug. 19,

U eR 16:51:33

530 N, 1600 E, 16:29:44

Aug. 19,

U is 12:06:16

iR 12:14:33

10 S, E, 21:48:07

Aug. 20,

U i P 03 :49:08

is 03:56:23

eQ 04:02:28

iR 04:03:23

140 S, 1670 E, 03:40:07

Magnitude 6X - {Pas}

Aug. 21,

U eP 21:07:30

180 S, 1760 W, 20:59:10

Depth about 250 km.

Aug. 24,

U i P 17:06:14.8 d

140 N, 1210 E, 16:54:25

Depth about 150 km.

Aug. 26,

U eR 12:43:58

140 S, 1670 E, 12:20:43

11

Aug. 26,

U eS 13:01:36

eR 13:07:48

140 S, 1670 E, 12:45:02

Aug. 26,

U eS 18:11:58

eR 18:18:38

140 S, 1670 E, 17:55:34

Aug. 26,

U eS 23:48:12

eR 23:54:30

140 5, 1670 E, 23:31:38

Aug. 27,

U is 02:43:05

eR 02:50:34

5, W, 02:25:32

Aug. 29,

U eS 12:40:40

eR 12:47:00

5, 1670 E, 12:24:23

Magnitude -6 (Pas)

Aug. 30,

U eS 18:52:17

i R 18:57:35

N, 1120 W, 18:38:18

Aug. 31,

U eS 23:15:02

i R 23:20:32

630 N, W, 23:00:16

Magnitude - 6 {Pas}

Sept. 1,

U eR 01:18:32

240 S, W, 00:57:10

Sept. 2,

U eR 02:40:26

S, E, 02:27:41
10

Aug. 1',

U i P 22:41:10.7 d

ipP 22:42:02

is 22:51:02

esS 22:52:01

i G 23:01:56

eR 23:02:56

1'Y2° N, 1250 E, 22:29:17

Depth about 200 km

Magnitude 6% - 7 (Pas)

Aug. 16,

U eP 13:24:54

is 13:30:33

i R 13:34:06

HTmax 14:01:43

N, 1760 W, 13:17:52

Magnitude 6 - (Pas)

Aug. 16,

U eG 20:05:45

eR 20:14:25

N, 480 E, 19:13:45

Aug. 17,

U eS 09:21:18

i R 09:24:47

N, 1760 W, 09:08:35

Aug. 17,

U eR 11:07:10

510 N, 1760 W, 10:50:40

Aug. 17,

U eR 11:32:25

N, 1760 W, 11:16:13

Aug. 17,

U eP 18:12:27

eS 18:20:15

eQ 18:26:25

i R 18:29:21

3

0 S, E, 18:01:05

"..:

2. Local Earthquake Summary

Week Numbet: of Earthquakes· "Minutes of

beginning magnitude 2.5 magnitude < 2.5

continuous

tremor·

June 29 49 700 470

July 6 5 150 0

13 5 44 0

20 2 67 29

27 3 129 45

Aug. 3 6 30 0

10 2 135 1817 4 35 123

24 0 43 6

31 1 51 18

Sept. 7 2 137 6

14 3 42 7

21 0 31 0

28 2 43 0

·Recorded at Uwekahuna on a vertical component electromagnetic

seismograph with a peak magnification of 20,000 and galvanometer and

seismometer periods of 0.5 second.

3. Tilt coordinates * at seismograph stations on the rim of

Kilauea caldera.

Whitney station Uwekahuna station

Date (northeast rim) (west rim)

N-S E-W N-S E-W

July 6 474 481 506 483

13 476 482 507 482

20 475 482 507 479

27 476 483 504 480

Aug. 3 479 484 505 483

10 480 487 507 477

17 480 486 505 475

24 479 484 507 474

31 482 485 510 474

Sept. 7 487 485 512 478

14 492 486 512 478

21 492 488 512 476

28 496 492 511 474

• All tilt coordinates were arbttrarily set equal to 500 on January 5,

1958. Increasing tilt coordinates correspond to northward and eastward

tilting of the earth's surface: i.e. to a relative subsidence toward the

north and east.

A one unit change in coordinate reveals a tilting of

one part per million (one mm per km) in the direction indicated.

3
ARTHQUAKES

ocal earthquakes were determined

y the Hawaiian Volcano Observa

and Maui. Except for smaller earth

ly earthquakes with magnitudes of

n the list. The entries for a given

n time (Hawaiian standard time),

. South Pacific Ocean, 15:10:18

Aug.3,

U i 01:14:12.0 c

5,1790 W, 01:06:24

Aug•.11,

U eR 08:16:44

180 S, E, 07:53:12

15:46:13

Aug. 4,

U iP 04:25:06.3 c

eQ 04:45:08

eR 04:48:36

H eP 04:25:02.2

6

0 5, 1300 E, 04:13:19

Depth about 150 km

Aug. 6,

U eP 21:16:47

eS 21:22:55

eR 21:27:15

HiP 21:16:56

170 S, 1730 W, 21:09:09

Magnitude 6% (Pas)

Aug. 10,

U eR 18:31:43

3720 S, 1510 E, 18:05:54

Aug.1,

U i 05:46:53

is 05:50:43

esS 05:54:02

160 5, W, 05:37:50

Depth about 450 km

July 30,

U eP 04:55/:55

eS 05:05:39

eR 05:15:43

2lh.° 5, 1400 E, 04:44:53

July 30,

U eL

July 26,

UTmax 21:21:49

120 N, E, 20:29:59

July 26,

U iP 17:49:12 d

epP 17:51 :26

i 5 17:38:49i 18:00:31

isS 18:03:14

iSS 18:04:07

S, 690 W, 17:37:09

Depth about 650 km

Magnitude 7 - (Pas)

July 30,

U eL 03:11:23

N, E, 02:47:17

J7fly 23,

U eP 10:37:08

is 10:45:08

iR 10:56:51

310 N, E, 10:27:19

July 24,

U eR 13:23:28

N, 1700 W, 13:08:05

July 21,

U i P 14:44:29

i 5 14:50:12

i R 14:53:53

Tmax 15:23:30

HTmax 15:21:22

51Xo N, 1780 W, 14:37:18

Magnitude (Berk)

July 22,

UTmax 04:46:49

HTmax 04:45:42

58720 N, 1380 W, 03:55:35

July 21,

U e5 07:41:44

i R 07:48:44

N, E, 07:24:58

Magnitude 6 - (Berk)

r

4

of Keahole Point. Magnitude 2.5.

1540 48' W, about 12 km south of

ukahi at a depth of about 35 km. Felt

ahoa, and the Volcano district. Mag

ys a major swarm of earthquakes and

d spasmodic tremor originated about

neath a region about 10 km northeast

a caldera. The largest of approxi

00 earthquakes from this source (ab

Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep) are listed

below. None of these earthquakes

ed felt.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.5.

na Loa deep•.Magnitude 2.5.na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.5.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

f Naalehu at a depth of about 15 km.

2.5.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.5.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.2.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.2.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.8.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.3.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

of Hookena at a depth of about 10 km.

3.1.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.8.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

na Loa deep. Magnitude 2.5.

9
July 17. July 4, 17:09:18, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.4.

U eS 19:14:55 July 4, 18:06:37, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

iR 19:18:37 July 4, 19:19:44, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1.

510 N, 1760 W, 19:02:10 July 4, 20:52:35, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1. 

Magnitude (Berk) July 4, 20:54:25, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

July 4, 22:09:56, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

1 July 4, 22:37:11, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.9. July 17, July 4, 23:45:02, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.9.

U eP 21:06:25 July 5, 00:34:38, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.9.

eS 21:12:04 July 5, 02: 16:04, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.3.

iR 21:15:39 July 5, 03:04:44, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1.

510 N, W, 20:59:17 July 5, 04:06:57, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

Magnitude 6 (Berk) July 5, 05 :16:49, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

July 5, 05:40:19, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

July 18, July 5, 05:51:00, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.1. July 5, 07:36:09, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

U eP 00:46:34 July 5, 08:05:01, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.9.

eS 00:52:04 July 5, 11:49:17, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.8.

iR 00:55:30 July 5, 13:20:53, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.8.

510 N, W, 00:39:18 July 5, 15:16:52, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.0.

Magnitude (Berk) July 5, 16:12:19, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.5.

JuJy 5, 18:43:21, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

July 18. July 5, 18:58:39, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.5.

U iP 01:59:17.0 c July 6, 02:57:40, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7.

4°.S, 780 W, 01:47:21 July 6, 08:50:02, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.7. July 6, 11:26:30, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 2.6.

Depth about 100 km July 6, 13:25:30, Kilauea-Mauna Loa deep. Magnitude 3.2.

July 11, 04:07:15, 15 km northwest of Naalehu at a depth of about

July 18, 15 km. Magnitude 2.5.

HTmax 17:54:03 July 13, 04:20:52, 55 km west of Kailua, Kona. Felt in Kealakekua.

N, W, 17:03:58

Magnitude 3.8.

July 13, 12:04:36, 20 km north of Naalehu at a depth of about 5 km.

Magnitude 2.7.

July 19, July 16, 19:17:58, 25 km north of Naalehu at a depth of about 35 km.

U iP 06:41:16.7

Felt in Capt. Cook. Magnitude 3.3. c July 17, 15:53:54, 5 km south of Puu Ulaula at a depth of about 10 km. 

40 S, E, 06:30:19 Magnitude 2.6.

Depth about 150 km July 19, 22:57:58, 25 km west of Kealakekua Bay. Magnitude 2.6.

July 23, 06:17:39, 15 km east of Apua Point at a depth of about 30 km.

July 19, Magnitude 2.5.

U iP 09:1}/:16.6 d July 26, 06:27:57, 25 km west of Keahole Point. Magnitude 2.9. July 28, 16:26:01, about 30 km from the Haleakala seismograph station

at a depth of at least 15 km. Magnitude 2.5.

July 19, .' Aug. 2, 09:52:26, 10 km west of Pahala at a depth of about 5 km. . \ Magnitude 2.7. 

U eP 18:28:40.4 c

eQ 18:47:45 Aug. 2, 19:00:28, 10 km north of Naalehu at a depth of about 5 km.

eR 18:49:05 ,i Magnitude 2.6.

H eP 18:28:41 Aug. 5, 21:52:32, 5 km northwest of Apua Point at a depth of 5 km.

0

0, E, 18:16:5 2 Magnitude 2. 7.

5

8
July 12,

U eR 02:56:48

S, W, 02:31:55

July 12,

U eS 01:05:46

i R 01:13:04

Tmax 01:56:20

50 S, W, 00:48:30

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

July 11,

UTmax 20:41:04

II Tmax 20:40:01

N, W, 19:50:08

July II,

U e 19:35:48

eR 19:52:56

210 S, 690 W, 19:10:20

Magnitude (Pas)

July 10,

U iP 08:06:09 c

Mtershock

July 10,

U eP 12:34:37 c

Mtershock

July 10,

U i P 06:23:39.6 d

iScP 06:29:12

is 06:30:02

i L 06:33:03

Tmax 07:07:00

H eP 06:23:34.8

eS 06:29:50

eL 06:32:40

Tmax 07:05:52

58.60 N, 137.10 W, 06:15:51

Magnitude 8 (Pas)

July 4,

U eR 19:10:21

6

0 N, 1250 E, 18:34:03

July 3,

U eR 00:58:22

550 S, 1260 W, 10:23:02

July 3,

U eP 06:36:32 d

is 06:43:42

eR 06:49:47

290 S, 1790 W, 06:27:44

Depth about 400 km

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

DISTANT EARTHQUAKES

The following earthquakes of distant origin were recorded on

seismographs of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Hawaii

(U=Uwekahuna, 190 25.4' N, 17.6' W, 1240m), and Maui

200 46.0' N, 1560 15.0' W, 2090m). Beginnings

of phases are given in Greenwich civil time, which is 10 hours

faster than Hawaiian standard time.

A ftc" following the time

of

P indicates that the first motion was a compression; a ftd",

that it was a dilatation. Locations of epicenters, origin times,

focal depths, and magnitudes are from the notices of Preliminary

Determinations of Epicenters published by the U. S. Coast and

Geodetic Survey.

July 1,

U eP 06:00:13 c

e S 06:05:54

eR 06:09:40

N, W, 05:53:07

Magnitude 6 (Pas)

6

m the Haleakala seismograph station.

e 2.9.

heast of Hakalau at a depth of about

Magnitude 2.6.

hwe st of Pahala at a depth of about

Magnitude 3.0.

thwest of the Mauna Loa seismograph

at a shallow depth. Magnitude 3.0.

lakekua fault about 5 km southwest of

ua at a depth of about 10 km. Mag

2.

west of the Outlet seismograph station

h of about 30 km. Felt near Kilauea

Magnitude 3.7.

west of Hookena at a depth of about

Magnitude 3.1.

of Mahukona at a depth of about 45 km.

e 3.3.

auea caldera at a depth of about 15 km.

r the east rim of Kilauea caldera and

Magnitude 3.7.

auea caldera at a depth of about 15 km.

the east rim ol Kilauea caldera. Mag

5.

na at a depth of about 5 km. Felt in

ua and Capt. Cook. Magnitude 3.8.

of Puu 0 Keokeo at a depth of about

agnitude 2.9.

h of Apua Point at a depth of about

Magnitude 3.4.

155°' 53 1 W, 15 km northeast of Hana,

a depth of 40 km. Magnitude 3.4.

ortheast rim of Kilauea caldera at a

ow depth. Felt just south of Hawaii

Park Headquarters. Magnitude 0.6.

ortheast rim of Kilauea caldera at a

epth. Felt at Hawaii National Park

ers. Magnitude 1.7.

of Keahole Point. Magnitude 2.9.

east of Makaopuhi at a depth of about

agnitude 3.1.

of Kamuela at a depth of about 40 km.

2.7.

of Naalehu at a depth of about 25 km.

Hilo to Kealakekua. Magnitude 3.8.

of Kamuela at a depth of about 25 km.

2.5.

7
·UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY

SUMMARY 12

October-December 1958

By

J. P. Eaton and Harold L. Krivoy

Keoou

I. Hawaiian Volcono Observatory

2. Whitney Loborotory of 5eismolo9y

3, Uwekahuna seismogroph ,totion

4. Headquarters Hawaii Nationol Pork

EXPLANATION

Apua Point

• Seismograph stotlon

D City, town,or village

" Locality

Rood

Contour interval 1,000 feet

Do/um is "'*On $10 ItIIIll

Topogrophy by U.S. Geological Survey

1560 1550

N

MohukOno

200

J

20

.,

1

Jl

'I',':,··,' . I

)

Map of the Island of Hawaii, showing location of the Hawaiian

Volcano Observatory, seismograph stations operated by the

observatory, and localities mentioned in text.
. . •. ..t

... ;)l! ....

.

•

itt

•

.f, f

I

l

I

,.
Dec. 23,

U eR 07:02:36

2 0 N, 79 0 W, 06:27:15

Dec. 19,

U eR 18:52:51

N, W, 18:36:23

Dec. 14,

U iR 07:43:31

35 0 5, W, 07:11:28

Magnitude 6

Dec. 10,

U iR 22:08:40

N, 109 0 W, 21:49:20

Magnitude

PREFATORY NOTE

This summary of observations made at the

atory is published for use of v?lcanologlcal seismological

observatories and others Interested 10 the data at Intervals shorter

than once a year. Those who wish to receive this should

request inclusion on the mailing list from the Director, U. S. Geological

Survey, Washington 25, D. C.

October

Continuing mild, shallow seismic actIVIty at Kilauea caldera

accounted for most of the 338 earthquakes recorded at Uwekahuna

during October•.

An earthquake felt in Kealakekua at 10:15 p..m. on October 22

originated beneath the ocean about 20 km west of Hookena. Its

magnitude was 2.8.

On October 22, 23, and 24 a group of moderate earthquakes

stemmed from a shallow focus beneath the ocean about 25 km

south of Uwekahuna. The two largest earthquakes of this group,

both of magnitude 4.3, were reported felt. The quake at 11 :43 p.m.

on October 22 was felt from Hawaii National Park to Kealakekua;

that at 12:23 p. m. on October 23 was felt at Pahala.

Strong northeasterly tilting recorded at the Whitney station was

normal for the month.

1. Chronological Summary

.,

08:15 :32:2 c

08:23:33

08:32:07

08:15:30.3 c

U iP

eS

iR

H iP

Dec. 25,

Dec. 17,

U eP 09:06:50.7

.33 0 N, 137 0 E, 08:51:10

Depth about 400 km.

Dec. 3D,

U eP 08:49:20.3 d

S, W, 08:37:56

Magnitude 6

November

Only 138 earthquakes were recorded at Uwekahuna during November. Most of these were small and occurred near Kilauea

caldera.

The largest earthquake of the month originated about 30 km

beneath the southeast rim of Kilauea caldera at 5 :56 a. m. on

November 2. Its was 4.4, and it was felt from Hawaii

National Park to Hilo.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake that was felt in Kealakekua at .

8:48 p. m. on November 14 stemmed from a shallow focus about

8 km southwest of Kealakekua.

o

8

62695

1
at the Whitney station was nor

mber

d by seismographs at Uwekahuna

felt during the month occurred

t a depth of 45 km at 9:17 a. m.

ke, with a magnitude of 4.5, was

he largest quake in the Hawaiian

earthquake that occurred 45 km

8, 1957.

Whitney station was about normal

• Minutes of 

continuous 

magnitude

< 2.5 tremor·

117 2

45 0

74 3

70 13

32 0

18 0

32 0

35 3

34 0

32 7

36 0

34 0

97 0

vertical component e lecttomagnetic

ion of 20,000 and galvanometer and

ph stations on the rim of Kilauea

n Uwekahuna station

m) (west rim)

W N-S E-W

6 512 470

6 511 469

5 512 468

Nov. 12,

U iP 20:32:44.8 c

e 20:39:07

is 20:40:13

eSS 20:43:43

t'.

-\... iQ 20:44:43

, iR 20:47:43 Tmax 21:13:33

• H eP 20:32:32.9

N, E, 20:23:26

Magnitude 6% - 7

Nov. 13,

U eR 03:20:43

44°N, 02:56:26

Nov. 13,

U eR 04:28:27

N, 148° -E, 04:04:37

Nov. 14,

U eR 05:39:04

3<? 5, lOt> W, 05:04:25

Nov. 14,

U iP 05:56:36.2 c

ipP 05:56:53.0

Nov. 14,

U eR 05:58:56

44 ° N, 149 0 E, 05:34:53

Nov. 14,

U eP 14:00:15.2

eG 14:17:29

eR 14:23:44

6° S, 131 ° E, 13:48:20

, Nov. 15,

U iR 09:24:39

It

44° N, 149 0 E, 09:00:45

Magnitude - 6X

7

Nov. 16,

U iR 18:02:05

16° 5, 172 0 W, 17:44:48

Magnitude

Nov. 17,

U eP 09:55:39.4

S, E, 09:46:30

Nov. 18,

U eR 08:02:25

N, 179 0 E, 07:45:20

Nov. 19,

U eS 09:40:50

eR 09:47:46

44 0 N, 149° E, 09:23:51

Depth about 60 km.

Nov. 19,

U iP 04:03:38.0

31 0 5, 179 0 W, 03:53:56

Nov. 19,

U iP 15 :09:58.4 c

N, W, 15:02:15

Depth about 60 km.

Nov. 20,

U eR 05 :58:21

52 0 N, -E, 05:36:33

Nov. 20,

U eP 14:27:24.3

eR 14:31:46

45 ° N, :E, 14:18:04

Depth about 60 km.
Nov. 8,

N, E, 22:58:06

Depth about 60 km.

Magnitude 8 -

Nov. 4,

U eR 23:30:35

50° 5, 115 ° W, 22:54:46

LOCAL EARTHQUAKES

The data for the following local earthquakes were determined

from seismographs operated by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

on the islands of Hawaii and Maui. Except for smaller earthquakes

of special interest, only earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.5 or

greater were included in the list. The entries for a given earthquake are: date, origin time (Hawaiian standard time), epicenter,

and general remarks.

Table-Continued

*All tilt coordinates were arbitrarily set equal to 500 on January 5,

1958. Increasing tilt coordinates correspond to northward and eastward

tilting of the earth's surface: i. e. to a relative subsidence toward the

north and east.

A one unit change in coordinate reveals a tilting of one

part per million (one mm per km) in the direction indicated.

Oct. 8, 14:42:41, 10 km southwest of Hilo at a depth of about 25 km.

Magnitude 2.5.

Oct. 9, 04:57:10, 15 km northwest of Mokuaweoweo at a depth of

about 5 km. Magnitude 2.5.

Oct. 21, 10:20:45, 20 km southwest of Kalapana at a depth of about

10 km. Magnitude 2.8.

Oct. 22, 22:14:47, 20 km west of Hooke"-,a at a depth of about 15 km.

Felt in Kealakekua. Magnitude 2.8.

Oct. 22, 23:43:28, offshore south of Kilauea at 190 12.5 'N, 1550 19 'W

at a shallow depth. Felt from Hawaii National

Park to Kealakekua. Magnitude 4.3.

Oct. 22, 23:50:53, 19° 12.5' N, 155° 19'

W at a shallow depth. Magnitude 3.9.

Oct. 23, 03:21:19, 19" 12.5' N, 1550 19'

W at a shallow depth. Magnitude 3.2.

Whitney station Uwekahuna station

Date (northeast rim) (west rim)

N-S E-\Yl N-S E-W

23 506 502 510 469

30 508 506 512 454

Nov. 6 509 510 511 453

13 512 512 512 462

20 515 516 511 459

27 513 516 512 460

Dec. 4 515 518 512 457

11 516 518 511 458

18 516 _ 516 510 458

25 517 515 510 457

23:07:21.5 c

23:14:31

23:22:11

24:04:30

23:07:10.9 c

23:14:24

23:18:54

23:21:07

U iP 09:31:31.8 d

is 09:38:45

eR 09:47:21

52° N, 159W E, 09:22:53

Nov. 7,

U eR 05:27:41

44W N, 149° E, 04:59:56

Depth about 60 km.

Nov. 7,

U eP 01:52:11

N, :E, 01:42:56

Nov. 6,

U iP

is

iR

Tmax

H iP

is

eQ

iR

Nov. 4,

U eP 08:41:01

eR 08:55:19

28° N, E, 08:28:28

Nov. 6,

'U eP 15:41:49

6° S, 128° E, 15:30:06

Depth about 250 km.

28)

Nov. 12,

U eR 11:04:20

7° S, 156 0 E, 10:39:47

Depth about 100 km.

3

6
of phases are given in Greenwich civil tirne, which is 10 hours

faster than Hawaiian standard time.

A «c" following the time

of

P indicates that the first motion was a compression; a ctd",

that it was a dilatation. Locations of epicenters, origin times,

focal depths, and magnitudes are from the notices of Preliminary

Determinations of Epicenters published by the U. S. Coast and

Geodetic Survey.

155° 19'

W at a shallow depth. Mag

55° 19 T W at a shallow depth. Felt

Magnitude 4.3.

550 19 T W at a shallow depth. Mag

Kilauea caldera at a depth of about

nitude 2.5.

ast of the summit of Mauna Kea at

bout 15 km. Magnitude 2.7.

ast of Kamuela at a shallow depth.

.8.

west of Mokuaweoweo at a depth of

. Magnitude 2.6.

m northeast of Honokaa at a depth of

itude 3.1.

west of Pahala at a depth of about

3.0.

st of Uwekahuna at a depth of about

lt from Hawaii National Park to Hilo.

.4.

west of Puu 0 Keokeo at a depth of

. Magnitude 3.2.

st of Apua Point at a depth of about

nitude 3.0.

st of Kealakekua at a depth of about

at Kealakekua. Magnitude 3.0.

st of Kealakekua at a shallow depth.

.6.

ast of Naalehu at a depth of about

nitude 3.0.

st of Kalapana at a depth of about

nitude 2.6.

ast of Kamuela at a depth of about

nitude 3.2.

Kapapala at a depth of about 25 km.

.4.

est of Ohaikea at a depth of about.

nitude 3.5.

t of Hilo at a depth of about 45 km.

lo to Kealakekua. Magnitude 4.5.

ast of Hookena at a depth of about

nitude 2.7.

ARTHQUAKES

f distant were recorded on

Volcano Observatory on Hawaii

1550 17.6 T W, 1240m), and Maui

60 15.0' W, 2090m). Beginnings

4

r

Oct. 1,

U eR 10:11:13

57 0 S, 147 0 E, 09:29:43

Oct. 2,

U eP 15:12:42.4

N, 127 0 E, 15:00:50

Oct. 3,

U eP 00:45:22.7

N, 120 0 E, 00:33:07

Oct. 4,

U eR 12:12:24

N, E, 11:33:07

Oct. 6,

U eP 00:56:42.9

32 0 S, E, 00:47:20

Depth about 250 km.

Oct. 7,

U eP 12:42:38

is 12:50:30

eG 12:56:26

iR 12:58:32

50 S, E, 12:32:40

Magnitude - 6X

Oct. 9,

U eS 11:58:16

iR 12:19:09

S, VI, 11:20:17

5

Oct. 10,

U eP 08:39:01

eS 08:46:01

iR 08:52:04

N, E, 08:30:26

Depth about 100 km.

Oct. 10,

U eS 15:38:42

eR 15:51:02

27X o N, E, 15:18:42

Depth about 250 km.

Magnitude

Oct. 19,

U eR 02:29:44

19 0 $, W, 01:53:54

Oct. 19,

U eP 11:52:37

S, 178 0 W, 11 :42:42

Oct. 20,

U eP 01:02:42

iR 01:12:02

HTmax 01:38

52 0 N, 175 0 W, 00:55:34

Oct. 20,

U iR 01:57:20

S, E, 01:12:30

Oct. 26,

U eP 02:30:20

N, 117 0 E, 02:17:32