[6] The earthquake's epicenter was near the south flank of Kīlauea, which has been the site of seismic and volcanic activity since late April of that year.

[7] According to the United States Geological Survey the quake was related to the new lava outbreaks at the volcano,[8][non-primary source needed] and it resulted in the Hilina Slump moving about two feet.

[14] Hawaii island is affected by a large number of minor earthquakes related to the movement of magma beneath its active volcanoes.

Additionally there are less frequent tectonic earthquakes that are caused either by faulting within the volcanoes or by slip along the basal detachment surface at the top of the oceanic crust associated with the gradual collapse of the island's flanks as it continues to be enlarged.

[17] Analysis of seismic waveforms suggest that the mainshock was most likely caused by slip on a thrust fault dipping at 20° to the northwest beneath the southeastern flank of the volcano.