A magnitude 4.0 earthquake yesterday off the Hamakua Coast was felt as far away as O'ahu but did not cause any damage, according to the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency.

The quake occurred at 9:44 a.m. and was located 10 miles northeast of Laupahoehoe at a depth of 12 miles.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the earthquake resulted from "internal adjustments" within the Earth's crust near Mauna Kea and most likely was not associated with the movement of magma or eruptive processes.

Over the past 40 years, the Hamakua Coast has experienced about one magnitude 3.5 or larger earthquake per year.