Hawaii is still a volcanically active area. From time to time, the islands are hit by earthquakes and threatened by tsunami waves.

Tremors are almost a daily occurrence here. Typically, a small earthquake occurs in Hawaii every 3.5 days. The detailed analysis of the Richter scale is as follows:

• 3.0 - 3.9 - 102 shocks per year
• 4.0 - 4.9 - 11 shocks per year
• 5.0 - 5.9 - once every 533 days (1.5 years)
• 6.0 - 6.9 - once every 2818 days (7.7 years)
• over 7 - once every 20378 days (55.8 years)

Earthquakes below magnitude 5.5 are felt but cause little damage. From 5.5 to 6.1 are medium tremors, and below 7 are large tremors causing serious damage. Above 7, these are very serious tremors, and above 7.4 they are catastrophic, felt from huge distances, and can cause unimaginable damage.