Keaau, Hawaii - With Hurricane Flossie Approaching Hawaii, an earthquake measuring a magnitude 5.3 has struck the Big Island.

The US Geological Survey placed the epicentre some 26 miles South of Hilo, Hawaii.

The temblor occurred at 7:38 PM local time.

The epicenter of the earthquake is located on the flanks of Kilauea, an active volcano erupting for over 20 years non-stop.

Recently, the flow from Kilauea’s Puu Oo vent stopped as cracks opened up and molten lava seeped out elsewhere on the mountain.

About six weeks ago, Puu Oo again re-filled with red-hot lava which began flowing towards the sea. No change in eruption activity is immediately visible from Puu Oo, but it is obscured by dark rain clouds.

U.S. Geological Survey reports receiving over 300 responses from all 32 Big Island zip codes with Hilo and Puna reporting “strong” shaking and “light” damage

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Warning for the Big Island of Hawaii. Currently a Category 3 Hurricane, Flossie is expected to maintain its strength as it passes within 85 miles of the Island on Tuesday.

Breaking News 14th August 2007