Country profile · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in New Zealand

New Zealand ranks 11th of 215 countries by catalogued seismic activity - among the most seismically active nations on Earth. Below: the full M6+ event history, magnitude and depth profile, and yearly trend, straight from USGS data.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

7,422
M4+ events (since 2005): 270
Major M6+ (since 1900): M7.8
Strongest: ~353
M4+ per year

The verdict

New Zealand has logged 7,422 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 and 270 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.8.

#11
of 215 countries by M4+ activity: 7,422
catalogued M4+ events (2005–present): M7.8
strongest earthquake on record: 270
major M6+ events since 1900

Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate M4–5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage.

2014

5
2015

2
2016

8
2017

2
2018

2
2019

5
2021

8
2022

1
2023

5
2024

1
2025

3
2026

1

What this shows New Zealand's most active year for major earthquakes was 1968 (9 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.

Magnitude distribution of major events

Breakdown of the 270 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for New Zealand.

M7.0-7.9

15.6%

M6.0-6.9

228

84.4%

Depth of major earthquakes

Hypocentral depth of the 270 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 41 km.

Shallow (<70 km)

242

89.6% of events

Intermediate (70–300 km)

10.0% of events

Deep (>300 km)

0.4% of events

Strongest earthquakes in New Zealand

The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
7.8	53 km NNE of Amberley, New Zealand	15.1 km	Nov 13, 2016
7.8	97 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	12.0 km	Jul 15, 2009
7.7	46 km E of Gisborne, New Zealand	15.0 km	Mar 25, 1947
7.6	82 km ENE of Gisborne, New Zealand	25.0 km	May 17, 1947
7.5	173 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand	20.0 km	Sep 1, 1945
7.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	35.0 km	Nov 16, 1917
7.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	43.0 km	Mar 4, 2021
7.4	180 km W of Riverton, New Zealand	33.0 km	Oct 12, 1979
7.4	47 km WSW of Hastings, New Zealand	35.0 km	Feb 2, 1931
7.3	182 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	10.0 km	Mar 4, 2021

Significant earthquake record (270 events)

Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in New Zealand since 1900, most recent first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	167.0 km	Feb 4, 2026
6.2	213 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand	22.0 km	Jul 7, 2025
6.2	285 km SW of Bluff, New Zealand	10.6 km	Apr 29, 2025
6.7	170 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand	21.0 km	Mar 25, 2025
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	13.0 km	Feb 9, 2024
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	19.0 km	Oct 23, 2023
7.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	46.8 km	Apr 24, 2023
6.9	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	211.0 km	Mar 4, 2023
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	354.0 km	Feb 13, 2023
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	131.0 km	Jan 26, 2023
6.6	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	24.0 km	Mar 2, 2022
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	16.0 km	Aug 31, 2021
6.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	25.0 km	Jun 20, 2021
6.1	194 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	24.0 km	Apr 5, 2021
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	20.0 km	Apr 1, 2021
6.3	183 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	13.0 km	Mar 6, 2021
7.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	43.0 km	Mar 4, 2021
7.3	182 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	10.0 km	Mar 4, 2021
6.3	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	224.0 km	Jan 8, 2021
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	34.0 km	Sep 27, 2019
6.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	14.0 km	Jun 21, 2019
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	30.0 km	Jun 19, 2019
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	12.0 km	Jun 17, 2019
7.3	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	46.0 km	Jun 15, 2019
6.1	62 km E of Waitara, New Zealand	225.5 km	Oct 30, 2018
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	35.0 km	Jul 7, 2018
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	19.0 km	Jun 28, 2017
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	34.0 km	Jun 15, 2017
6.5	74 km NE of Amberley, New Zealand	9.0 km	Nov 14, 2016
6.2	90 km SSW of Blenheim, New Zealand	2.1 km	Nov 13, 2016
6.1	78 km SSW of Blenheim, New Zealand	14.0 km	Nov 13, 2016
6.5	92 km SSW of Blenheim, New Zealand	10.0 km	Nov 13, 2016
7.8	53 km NNE of Amberley, New Zealand	15.1 km	Nov 13, 2016
6.1	179 km NE of Opotiki, New Zealand	13.7 km	Sep 1, 2016
7.0	175 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	19.0 km	Sep 1, 2016
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	43.8 km	Jun 6, 2016
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	228.0 km	Aug 24, 2015
6.1	73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand	48.0 km	Apr 24, 2015
6.7	183 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	22.0 km	Nov 16, 2014
6.7	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	26.6 km	Jun 23, 2014
6.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	10.0 km	Jun 23, 2014
6.9	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	20.0 km	Jun 23, 2014
6.1	35 km NNE of Masterton, New Zealand	28.0 km	Jan 20, 2014
6.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	151.0 km	Oct 11, 2013
6.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	41.5 km	Sep 30, 2013
6.5	29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand	8.2 km	Aug 16, 2013
6.5	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	17.0 km	Jul 21, 2013
6.3	27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand	163.0 km	Dec 7, 2012
6.3	63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand	229.8 km	Jul 3, 2012
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	15.2 km	Jul 9, 2011
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	14.0 km	Jul 9, 2011
6.1	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	5.9 km	Feb 21, 2011
7.0	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	12.0 km	Sep 3, 2010
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	28.0 km	Nov 28, 2009
6.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	257.0 km	Sep 2, 2009
6.1	107 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand	10.0 km	Aug 5, 2009
7.8	97 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand	12.0 km	Jul 15, 2009
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	131.7 km	Apr 26, 2009
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	13.0 km	Feb 17, 2009
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	33.0 km	Jan 18, 2009
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	10.0 km	Oct 5, 2008
7.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	36.0 km	Sep 29, 2008
6.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	25.0 km	Mar 18, 2008
6.6	46 km SSE of Gisborne, New Zealand	20.0 km	Dec 20, 2007
6.1	72 km NNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	19.0 km	Oct 15, 2007
6.8	70 km N of Te Anau, New Zealand	18.0 km	Oct 15, 2007
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	40.7 km	May 17, 2007
6.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	34.0 km	Jan 31, 2007
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	21.0 km	Dec 7, 2005
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	10.0 km	Jul 23, 2005
7.1	255 km W of Riverton, New Zealand	10.0 km	Nov 22, 2004
6.4	96 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	10.0 km	Nov 2, 2003
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	33.0 km	Sep 30, 2003
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	10.0 km	Sep 30, 2003
7.2	56 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand	28.0 km	Aug 21, 2003
6.4	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	45.6 km	May 4, 2003
6.7	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	62.4 km	May 4, 2003
6.7	178 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand	18.0 km	Oct 21, 2001
7.1	295 km NE of Gisborne, New Zealand	33.0 km	Aug 21, 2001
7.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	178.1 km	Jun 3, 2001
6.1	67 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand	24.5 km	Nov 1, 2000
6.2	24 km W of Taupo, New Zealand	158.7 km	Oct 25, 1999
6.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	10.0 km	Aug 1, 1999
6.3	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	25.0 km	Jul 28, 1999
6.9	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	129.5 km	Jul 9, 1998
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	57.4 km	Jun 20, 1998
6.2	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	10.0 km	Nov 24, 1995
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	54.4 km	Jul 3, 1995
7.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	35.3 km	Jul 3, 1995
6.0	125 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand	28.2 km	Feb 13, 1995
6.5	102 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand	28.3 km	Feb 10, 1995
7.1	118 km NNE of Gisborne, New Zealand	21.1 km	Feb 5, 1995
6.5	83 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand	33.0 km	Dec 15, 1994
6.0	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	10.0 km	Jun 19, 1994
6.8	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	13.6 km	Jun 18, 1994
6.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	60.8 km	Jan 30, 1994
6.3	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	19.7 km	Sep 13, 1993
6.3	249 km NNE of Opotiki, New Zealand	95.2 km	Aug 13, 1993
6.4	42 km WNW of Gisborne, New Zealand	14.4 km	Aug 10, 1993
7.0	63 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand	28.1 km	Aug 10, 1993

Showing the first 100 of 270 significant events.

Countries with similar seismic activity

Comparable catalogued earthquake frequency to New Zealand.

Vanuatu

7,557 M4+ events · strongest M7.8

M7.8

Mexico

8,296 M4+ events · strongest M7.6

M7.6

Japan region

6,324 M4+ events · strongest M7.8

M7.8

Solomon Islands

6,125 M4+ events · strongest M7.8

M7.8

China

4,920 M4+ events · strongest M7.9

M7.9

Greece

4,600 M4+ events · strongest M7.0

M7.0

Understand the data

How earthquakes are measured

Magnitude scales, seismographs, and depth.

Reading earthquake data

Interpreting magnitude, depth and frequency.

Earthquake preparedness

Before, during and after a quake.

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes have occurred in New Zealand? ▼

The USGS catalog records 7,422 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in New Zealand since 2005, an average of about 353 per year. Separately, 270 significant (M6+) earthquakes are catalogued back to 1900.

What was the strongest earthquake in New Zealand? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in New Zealand measured magnitude 7.8. Across the full M4+ catalog the average magnitude is 4.5 - most earthquakes are moderate.

How seismically active is New Zealand? ▼

By catalogued M4+ activity, New Zealand ranks 11th of 215 countries worldwide - among the most seismically active nations on Earth. Its busiest year for major (M6+) events was 1968, with 9.

How deep are earthquakes in New Zealand? ▼

Across the 270 major (M6+) events on record, the average depth is 41 km. 90% were shallow (under 70 km), where surface shaking is strongest at a given magnitude.

Where does this data come from? ▼

Every figure is derived from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ counts cover 2005 onward (the period of consistent global completeness); the significant-event series covers M6+ back to 1900. Nothing is modelled or estimated.

About this data

Every figure on this page is computed directly from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), the public-domain record maintained by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Two series are combined: a worldwide catalog of magnitude-4.0-and-above events from 2005 onward, the period over which the global seismograph network reliably detects and locates earthquakes everywhere, and a historical series of significant magnitude-6.0-and-above events stretching back to 1900. Magnitudes use the moment-magnitude scale (Mw), the modern standard that supersedes the older Richter scale; because the scale is logarithmic, each whole step represents roughly thirty-two times more energy released. Depth is measured in kilometres from the surface, and shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger shaking than deep ones of the same magnitude. Counts reflect what instruments recorded, not every tremor that occurred, and recent events can be revised as seismologists refine the catalog.

Source: USGS ComCat, verify with USGS → · See our methodology for the full pipeline.

Disclaimer: PlainQuake is an informational reference for informational purposes only, not an emergency or early-warning service, and not professional engineering or safety advice. For official alerts and guidance, consult the USGS and your local emergency authorities. See our full disclaimer.