Volcano Watch  is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.  The  magnitude-6 earthquake happened at a depth of 14 miles (22 km) below sea level just south of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo on the west side of the Island of Hawaiʻi . The epicenter of the earthquake appeared to be on Mauna Loa when looking at a map. However, the base of Mauna Loa volcano sitting on top of the old oceanic crust is only 6 miles (10 km) below sea level. The earthquake occurred deeper than the volcano, even deeper than the base of the ocean crust, that is bent downward by the weight of the Hawaiian Island chain. These plate bending, or lithospheric flexure earthquakes occur within the upper lithospheric mantle within the Pacific Plate and are not directly related to volcanic activity.…