Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in New Zealand
New Zealand has catalogued 7,547 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 11th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M8.2.
New Zealand ranks 11th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - among the most seismically active nations on Earth, averaging about 359 M4+ events a year alongside 298 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. 3 of those major events reached M8 or greater, the catalogue's top magnitude class.
- 7,547
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 298
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M8.2
- Strongest
- ~359
- M4+ per year
The verdict
New Zealand is among the more seismically active places worldwide, with 7,547 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 298 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 8.2.
- 1968
- busiest year (9 major events)
- 38 km
- average recorded event depth
- 91%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Vanuatu sits immediately above at 7,620 events and Solomon Islands sits immediately below at 6,147.
USGS ComCat event tape
Event tape NEW-ZEALAND · New Zealand M4+ · 11th/187
New Zealand · 7,547 M4+ · max M8.2 · 298 M6+
- BAND 7,547
- STRIP 11th/187
- BOOK M8.2
- RANK 298
- MAX near Vanuatu
- M6 91% 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 Zealand
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 114 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 5.6. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 114
- Average observed MMI
- 5.6
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 52 / 23
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 Zealand sits in the catalog
Rank 11th of 187 tracked countries (94th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Vanuatu sits immediately above at 7,620 events and Solomon Islands sits immediately below at 6,147.
- Vanuatu - next more active (7,620 M4+)
- Solomon Islands - next less active (6,147 M4+)
New Zealand's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
7,547 Top 6% higher than 94% 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 Zealand by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2014
2014: 5 major (M6+) events
5
- 2015 2
2015: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2016
2016: 8 major (M6+) events
8
- 2017
2017: 4 major (M6+) events
4
- 2018 2
2018: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2019
2019: 5 major (M6+) events
5
- 2021
2021: 9 major (M6+) events
9
- 2022 1
2022: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2023
2023: 6 major (M6+) events
6
- 2024 1
2024: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2025 3
2025: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2026 2
2026: 2 major (M6+) events
2
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.
How New Zealand earthquake activity changed recently
| Year | M4+ events | YoY change | Global YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | -33.3% | -43.9% |
| 2025 | 3 | +200.0% | +29.3% |
| 2024 | 1 | -83.3% | -12.6% |
| 2023 | 6 | +500.0% | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 1 | -88.9% | -8.9% |
New Zealand's M4+ activity rose faster than the global average in 2026: -33.3% locally vs -43.9% globally, a 10.5-point gap.
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ = magnitude 4.0 or greater. YoY = year-on-year change. Global column uses the worldwide total from the same catalog.
78 of 7,547 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 298 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for New Zealand.
M8+
3
1.0%
M7.0-7.9
45
15.1%
M6.0-6.9
250
83.9%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 298 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 38 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
270
90.6% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
27
9.1% of events
Deep (>300 km)
1
0.3% of events
Strongest earthquakes in New Zealand
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.2 | 1917 Kermadec Islands, New Zealand Earthquake | 15.0 km | May 1, 1917 |
| 8.1 | 2021 Kermadec Islands, New Zealand Earthquake | 28.9 km | Mar 4, 2021 |
| 8.0 | 1976 Kermadec Islands, New Zealand Earthquake | 33.0 km | Jan 14, 1976 |
| 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 |
Significant earthquake record (298 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in New Zealand since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 10.0 km | Jun 10, 2026 |
| 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 |
| 6.3 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 14.8 km | May 31, 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 |
| 8.1 | 2021 Kermadec Islands, New Zealand Earthquake | 28.9 km | Mar 4, 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 |
| 6.1 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 8.0 km | Sep 20, 2017 |
| 6.6 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 10.0 km | Jul 11, 2017 |
| 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 |
| 6.1 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 10.0 km | Apr 26, 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 |
| 6.6 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 18.0 km | Sep 30, 2007 |
| 7.4 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 10.0 km | Sep 30, 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 |
| 6.2 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 10.0 km | Jul 1, 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 |
| 6.7 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand region | 10.0 km | Mar 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 |
Showing the first 100 of 298 significant events.
Other countries in this catalog sample
A New Zealand-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second New Zealand-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.