In a recent seismic event, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the world's largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, located on the Big Island of Hawaii. While the earthquake caused items to fall off shelves in nearby towns, there have been no immediate reports of serious damage or the expectation of a tsunami.

The earthquake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.3 by the U.S. Geological Survey, originated from Mauna Loa's southern flank. It occurred at a depth of 23 miles (37 kilometers), approximately 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) southwest of Pahala.

Mauna Loa, known for being one of the five volcanoes that make up the Big Island, last erupted in late 2022. This volcanic activity is a common occurrence in the Hawaiian archipelago, which has been shaped by successive volcanic eruptions over millions of years.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the earthquake was a result of the weight of the Hawaiian Islands on the Earth's surface. This type of earthquake occasionally takes place in the islands, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on Mauna Loa or its neighboring volcano, Kilauea, nor cause damage to buildings or infrastructure.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory further revealed that the majority of earthquakes in Hawaii occur on and around the Big Island. On average, the state experiences an earthquake with a magnitude of 5 or greater roughly once every 1.5 years.

While the Big Island is predominantly rural, hosting cattle ranches, coffee farms, and resort hotels, it is also home to a few small cities, including Hilo, the county seat, which has a population of around 45,000 residents.

The effects of the earthquake were felt even in Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu approximately 200 miles (322 kilometers) to the north. The shaking prompted Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth, who happened to be in Honolulu for a medical appointment, to reach out to emergency management officials. He stated that initially, he thought he was experiencing side effects from a medical procedure, but quickly realized it was an earthquake. Mayor Roth hurriedly made plans to head back to the Big Island, seeking an earlier flight from the Honolulu airport.

As the situation unfolds, authorities will continue to monitor the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of residents and visitors on the Big Island of Hawaii.