Honolulu Rocked by Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake

Honolulu Rocked by Magnitude 5.2 EarthquakeHonolulu Rocked by Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake Honolulu, Hawaii – A magnitude 5.2 earthquake rattled Honolulu and the surrounding areas on Saturday morning, shattering windows, knocking out power, and causing widespread panic. The quake, which struck at 10:15 a.m. local time, was centered about 20 miles north of downtown Honolulu. It was felt across the entire island of Oahu, as well as on neighboring Maui and Hawaii Island. “It was a very strong jolt,” said Honolulu resident Sarah Jones. “My walls shook, and my pictures fell off the shelves.” Multiple buildings in Honolulu reported shattered windows and damaged facades. The Aloha Tower Marketplace, a popular tourist destination, was evacuated after large chunks of concrete fell from the ceiling. Power outages were reported throughout the city, affecting thousands of homes and businesses. Honolulu International Airport briefly suspended operations due to concerns about structural damage. Emergency responders were quickly deployed to assess the damage and assist victims. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or fatalities. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) activated the State Emergency Operations Center and advised residents to take precautions and be prepared for aftershocks. Geologists at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning for the Hawaiian islands, but it was later canceled. Schools, businesses, and government offices in Honolulu were closed for the day as inspections continued. Engineers were dispatched to assess the safety of buildings and infrastructure. The earthquake is the strongest to hit Honolulu since a magnitude 6.9 quake in 1973. Experts said that while it was a significant event, it was not unusual for Hawaii, which is located in an active seismic zone. Residents were urged to stay informed through official sources and to follow instructions from emergency responders. As of Saturday afternoon, aftershocks were still occurring, and residents were advised to be prepared for further seismic activity.