What are my risks?

• Seismic Hazard Ranking for Maui County
• History of earthquakes in Maui County

Seismic Hazard Zones in Maui County

In 1994, Maui upgraded their Uniform Building Code seismic risk zone ranking from a 2 to a 2B. Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe upgraded from a 1 to a 2B. The UBC contain six seismic zones, ranging from 0 (no chance of severe ground shaking) to 4 (10% chance of severe shaking in a 50-year interval).

For more information about Seismic Hazards in Hawaii click here.

History of Earthquakes on Maui

Each year thousands of earthquakes occur in Hawaii, with the majority of them too small to be felt except by highly sensitive instruments. However, there have been earthquakes that jolted the islands. The island of Hawaii has experienced numerous earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater.

In 1871, the Lanai Earthquake had a magnitude of 7 or greater. Massive rockfalls and cliff collapse occurred on Lanai. House and churches were flattened on the island of Maui and Molokai. Two houses were reported to have split open on Oahu. And ground fractures and land slippage was reported in Waianae and Lahaina.

Earthquakes are not only concentrated on the Big Island. The 1938 Maui Earthquake was assigned a magnitude of 6.7-6.9 with an epicenter located only 6 miles north of the island of Maui. Landslides forced the closure of the road to Hana, and long sections of the highway collapsed into the sea. Waterpipes were damaged and the ground cracked open on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Small landslides and damage to home contents were even felt on Oahu.

History of Earthquakes in Hawaii, M6 and Greater, 1868-Present

History of Earthquakes in Hawaii, M6 and Greater, 1868-Present

Source: Atlas of Hawaii, Third Edition, 1998