March 17, 1952 Earthquake: Hawaii, United States

Mar. 17, 17:58, strong, felt at Naalehu, caused small tsunami at Kalapana. Off south shore, at 19 deg 07.5 min N., 155 deg 02 min W. This was a part of a swarm of earthquakes that occurred in March and continued through April (Reference #3925).

From March 13 until the end of April, a swarm of earthquakes occurred with sources to the southeast of Hawaii Island. The majority of shocks were registered only by seismic stations and were not felt on the island. The intervals between shocks rapidly decreased from March 13 to 20, and then began to slowly increase. The epicenters of the shocks were concentrated in a narrow zone, extending along the coast, apparently coinciding with a tectonic fault or a zone of faults, dislocations along which in fact probably caused the earthquakes described. A strong shock on March 17 at 17:58 local time, felt at Naalehu, caused a small tsunami. At Kalapana, about at 18:00 local time, the water passed 180 m inland (600 feet) and reached the school yard. No damage at all was done, but it was decided to announce a tsunami alarm. The tide gauge at Hilo did not register any waves. [18.III; 3h 58 m; 19.1 N, 155.0 W; M<6] (Reference #415).