Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in New Caledonia
New Caledonia has catalogued 1,921 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 25th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.7.
New Caledonia ranks 25th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 91 M4+ events a year alongside 114 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1909 to 2026, peaking in 1981.
- 1,921
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 114
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.7
- Strongest
- ~91
- M4+ per year
The verdict
New Caledonia is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 1,921 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 114 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.7.
- 1981
- busiest year (8 major events)
- 23 km
- average recorded event depth
- 97%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.7 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Guatemala sits immediately above at 1,971 events and Colombia sits immediately below at 1,738.
ComCat country tape
Event tape NEW-CALEDONI · New Caledonia M4+ · 25th/187
New Caledonia · 1,921 M4+ · max M7.7 · 114 M6+
- RANK 1,921
- MAX 25th/187
- M6 M7.7
- DEPTH 114
- PHOTO near Guatemala
- BUSY 97% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in New Caledonia
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 25 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 3.8. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 25
- Average observed MMI
- 3.8
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 20 / 14
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where New Caledonia sits in the catalog
Rank 25th of 187 tracked countries (87th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Guatemala sits immediately above at 1,971 events and Colombia sits immediately below at 1,738.
New Caledonia's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
1,921 Top 13% higher than 87% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in New Caledonia by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2004
2004: 5 major (M6+) events
5
- 2005
2005: 4 major (M6+) events
4
- 2007
2007: 5 major (M6+) events
5
- 2009 2
2009: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2011 2
2011: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2012 1
2012: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2017
2017: 7 major (M6+) events
7
- 2018
2018: 7 major (M6+) events
7
- 2019
2019: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2022 1
2022: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2023 1
2023: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2026 1
2026: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows New Caledonia's most active year for major earthquakes was 1981 (8 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
34 of 1,921 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 114 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for New Caledonia.
M7.0-7.9
9
7.9%
M6.0-6.9
105
92.1%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 114 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 23 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
111
97.4% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
3
2.6% of events
Deep (>300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Strongest earthquakes in New Caledonia
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | 249 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 20.2 km | May 16, 1995 |
| 7.6 | 274 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Mar 16, 1928 |
| 7.5 | 166 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 5, 2018 |
| 7.3 | 201 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 27, 2003 |
| 7.2 | 207 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Oct 25, 1980 |
| 7.1 | 238 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 21.4 km | Aug 29, 2018 |
| 7.1 | 202 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 22.0 km | Jan 3, 2004 |
| 7.0 | 85 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Nov 19, 2017 |
| 7.0 | 118 km NNE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 9.0 km | Jan 13, 2011 |
| 7.0 | 204 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 30.0 km | Feb 1, 1923 |
Significant earthquake record (114 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in New Caledonia since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 277 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 11.0 km | Jan 19, 2026 |
| 6.1 | 290 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | May 23, 2023 |
| 6.9 | 284 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Mar 30, 2022 |
| 6.3 | 164 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 20.0 km | May 19, 2019 |
| 6.0 | 176 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 16.0 km | May 19, 2019 |
| 6.3 | 196 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 20.0 km | May 19, 2019 |
| 6.6 | 199 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 5, 2018 |
| 7.5 | 166 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 5, 2018 |
| 6.3 | 160 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 5, 2018 |
| 6.5 | 171 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 17.0 km | Oct 16, 2018 |
| 6.3 | 171 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 12.0 km | Oct 16, 2018 |
| 6.3 | 240 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 12.0 km | Sep 10, 2018 |
| 7.1 | 238 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 21.4 km | Aug 29, 2018 |
| 6.0 | 96 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Nov 20, 2017 |
| 7.0 | 85 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Nov 19, 2017 |
| 6.6 | 74 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 13.0 km | Nov 19, 2017 |
| 6.3 | 82 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 14.0 km | Nov 19, 2017 |
| 6.6 | 101 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 22.0 km | Nov 1, 2017 |
| 6.1 | 110 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 11.0 km | Nov 1, 2017 |
| 6.7 | 132 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 24.0 km | Oct 31, 2017 |
| 6.6 | 262 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 14.0 km | Mar 3, 2012 |
| 6.8 | 124 km NE of Wé, New Caledonia | 11.0 km | May 10, 2011 |
| 7.0 | 118 km NNE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 9.0 km | Jan 13, 2011 |
| 6.0 | 249 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Oct 11, 2009 |
| 6.7 | 298 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 27.0 km | Jan 15, 2009 |
| 6.1 | 140 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 37.0 km | Oct 13, 2007 |
| 6.5 | 161 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Sep 28, 2007 |
| 6.3 | 158 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 12.0 km | Sep 28, 2007 |
| 6.1 | 153 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 9.0 km | Sep 27, 2007 |
| 6.2 | 134 km NE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 13.0 km | Apr 4, 2007 |
| 6.2 | 206 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Aug 11, 2005 |
| 6.7 | 286 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 68.0 km | Apr 11, 2005 |
| 6.1 | 189 km ESE of Vao, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Apr 8, 2005 |
| 6.3 | 183 km ESE of Vao, New Caledonia | 9.0 km | Feb 10, 2005 |
| 6.3 | 252 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 14.0 km | May 7, 2004 |
| 6.1 | 232 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Jan 3, 2004 |
| 7.1 | 202 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 22.0 km | Jan 3, 2004 |
| 6.1 | 185 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Jan 3, 2004 |
| 6.0 | 211 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Jan 3, 2004 |
| 6.3 | 195 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 27, 2003 |
| 6.7 | 202 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 27, 2003 |
| 7.3 | 201 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 27, 2003 |
| 6.1 | 164 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 27, 2003 |
| 6.8 | 168 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 26, 2003 |
| 6.0 | 190 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 25, 2003 |
| 6.5 | 183 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Dec 25, 2003 |
| 6.3 | 235 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Feb 28, 2001 |
| 6.7 | 245 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | Feb 28, 2001 |
| 6.4 | 187 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Feb 22, 1999 |
| 6.0 | 211 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Jul 31, 1998 |
| 6.1 | 201 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Jul 31, 1998 |
| 6.0 | 207 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | May 15, 1997 |
| 6.1 | 266 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 73.1 km | Aug 17, 1995 |
| 6.0 | 235 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 11.6 km | Jul 19, 1995 |
| 6.3 | 258 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 18.6 km | May 22, 1995 |
| 6.5 | 271 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 19.7 km | May 17, 1995 |
| 7.7 | 249 km E of Vao, New Caledonia | 20.2 km | May 16, 1995 |
| 6.1 | 285 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 16.4 km | Apr 13, 1995 |
| 6.0 | 235 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 32.4 km | Nov 25, 1993 |
| 6.2 | 238 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 42.3 km | Nov 5, 1988 |
| 6.1 | 282 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.8 km | May 3, 1988 |
| 6.1 | 138 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 23.8 km | Jun 26, 1987 |
| 6.1 | 278 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 14.6 km | Apr 21, 1987 |
| 6.1 | 245 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 51.6 km | May 1, 1986 |
| 6.2 | 291 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Nov 24, 1981 |
| 6.2 | 180 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Nov 16, 1981 |
| 6.0 | 278 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Sep 21, 1981 |
| 6.6 | 291 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 30.0 km | Sep 17, 1981 |
| 6.2 | 178 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 31.0 km | Sep 6, 1981 |
| 6.2 | 181 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 39.5 km | Jul 29, 1981 |
| 6.0 | 163 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Feb 19, 1981 |
| 6.7 | 156 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 29.9 km | Feb 17, 1981 |
| 6.0 | 207 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 86.0 km | Dec 17, 1980 |
| 6.4 | 164 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Oct 29, 1980 |
| 6.5 | 271 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Oct 25, 1980 |
| 7.2 | 207 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Oct 25, 1980 |
| 6.7 | 226 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Oct 25, 1980 |
| 6.7 | 241 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 33.0 km | Oct 24, 1980 |
| 6.1 | 275 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 85.0 km | Mar 13, 1975 |
| 6.0 | 214 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 26.2 km | Dec 28, 1972 |
| 6.4 | 246 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 30.0 km | Dec 22, 1962 |
| 6.0 | 218 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 25.0 km | Nov 20, 1961 |
| 6.1 | 144 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 15.0 km | Jan 28, 1961 |
| 6.4 | 210 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Jan 26, 1961 |
| 6.6 | 179 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Jan 5, 1961 |
| 6.6 | 180 km ENE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Jan 5, 1961 |
| 6.4 | 133 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 15.0 km | Nov 26, 1956 |
| 6.1 | 102 km NE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 15.0 km | Nov 16, 1953 |
| 6.4 | 159 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 10.0 km | May 11, 1953 |
| 6.3 | 252 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 15.0 km | Sep 12, 1949 |
| 6.5 | 291 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 30.0 km | Nov 12, 1947 |
| 6.7 | 273 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 15.0 km | Nov 9, 1947 |
| 6.5 | 239 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Apr 19, 1945 |
| 6.3 | 166 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 20.0 km | Feb 1, 1945 |
| 6.2 | 160 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 20.0 km | Feb 1, 1945 |
| 6.3 | 237 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Jun 25, 1944 |
| 6.6 | 200 km E of Tadine, New Caledonia | 25.0 km | Jun 21, 1944 |
| 6.9 | 298 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 15.0 km | Sep 14, 1943 |
| 6.3 | 201 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Mar 15, 1943 |
| 6.5 | 257 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia | 35.0 km | Mar 14, 1943 |
Showing the first 100 of 114 significant events.
Other countries in this catalog sample
A New Caledonia-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second New Caledonia-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.