6.6 earthquake hits Hawaii

A 6.6 earthquake hits the island of Hawaii. This is where the Keck Telescopes are located. There has been at least 14 after shocks, one was 5.8. Power was off on Oahu Island where Honolulu is. Reports of land slides on the Island of Maui where the new Pan Starrs telescope is located.

Eamonn A

Ouch .... not good ... 6.6 is a pretty big quake

First and foremost I hope the people are all right but also fingers crossed for the telescopes .... those are very important instruments .... were there to be serious damage it would be even more tragic than Mount Stromlo.

Bart.

There goes polar alignment....

I contacted KITV in Honolulu and there appears to be no significant damage to the peaks at Mauna Kea. In fact, I looked at the web cam of the observatories this AM and they appear to be OK. However, that is just on appearances. There could be slight damage. I have no info from the Administration at Kamuela, which is in the west of Hawaii. This was where the main quake occurred. I contacted KITV for them to contact the HQ to find out on the status there.

Eamonn A

Updates are here. Seems some were hit harder than others.

Dave

JCMT: www.jach.hawaii.edu/JCMT/announce/earthquake_20061016.html

CFHT:
www.cfht.hawaii.edu/

Gemini: www.gemini.edu/index.php?option=content&...task=view&id=206

Keck:
www.keckobservatory.org/article.php?id=95

Subaru:
www.naoj.org/

Looks like Keck is getting back up and running, for the most part:
www.keckobservatory.org/article.php?id=95

It was a shock to see the damage to Keck HQ, especially the Keck I and II control rooms, which I've used before. Thankfully, no injuries and no long term damage.

Gemini North is still out of commission due to damage to the secondary. It's not expected back in operation until Nov 10:
www.gemini.edu/index.php?option=content&...task=view&id=206


There's a collection of MPEG movies from the summit from a camera located on the CFHT dome looking towards the Gemini North dome. Very, very nice!
www.cfht.hawaii.edu/misc/arch.html

Clear skies.

Brian