April 26, 1973 Earthquake: Hilo, Hawaii, United States

1973, April 26, 20:26:30.6 UTC. 19.903 N, 155.130 W, depth 48 km, magnitude 6.0 mb, 6.1 Ms, intensity VIII. Near northeast coast of island of Hawaii. This damaging earthquake was felt from the east coast of Hawaii Island through the main islands of Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu, a distance of about 595 km. Property damage in and near Hilo was estimated at $5.75 million, and 11 people were injured.

Damage to buildings, roads, and utilities led

authorities to declare a state of emergency. Ground

effects, mainly landslides but including ground

cracks induced by lateral displacement and local subsidence,

were severe locally. Subsidence damaged

the main wharf in Hilo, and landslides damaged

roads and structures over a large area.

It was reported that 17 houses in the Hilo area

were shaken from their foundations and that five collapsed.

One structure in downtown Hilo collapsed,

and the outside walls of an apartment building-a

two-story concrete-block structure-were torn loose

at two ends. Tombstones and chimneys overturned in

several towns; water pipes and tanks were damaged.

Several schools sustained damage, and four were

closed temporarily. At Papaikou, the roof on the

Kalaniaonaole School dropped 7-10 cm, and its ceiling

was warped. Magnitude 6.3 Ms PAS, 6.1 Ms

BRK. (Ref. 46, 418, 423, 464.)

(above from reference #542)

1973, April 26, 20:26:28 UTC. 19.933 N, 155.100 W, 6.2 ML (HVO). Eleven persons injured, more than 4 million dollars damage reported. Felt on all islands of the state. Maximum intensity VIII. (reference #1053)

1973, April 26 20:26:33.35 UTC. 19.936 N, 155.098 W. depth 48 km, 6.3 UK PAS, 5.9 mb ISC, 6 mb NEIS. (reference #9910)

1973, April 26 20:26:28.61 UTC, 20.02 N, 155.182 W, depth 10 km, 6.5 Mw. (reference #10476)