Moderate magnitude 4.3 earthquake at 288 km depth21 Apr 09:27 UTC: First to report: GEONET (NZ) after 4 minutes.21 Apr 09:28: Now using data updates from EMSCI didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeApr 21, 2026 09:22:59 UTC - Local time at epicenterTuesday, Apr 21, 2026, at 09:22 pm (GMT +12)StatusconfirmedMagnitude4.30Depth288 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude35.2839°S / 178.9639°ENew ZealandSeismic antipode35.2839°N / 1.036°WAlgeriaShaking intensityNot feltPrimary data sourceEMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)Nearest volcanoSilent II East (8 km / 5 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeClear Sky 18.3°C (65 F), humidity: 75%, wind: 8 m/s (15 kts) from WNWEstimated seismic energy released1.8 x 1011 joules (49.4 megawatt hours, equivalent to 42.5 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 4.3 | about seismic energy7 minutes agoApr 21, 2026 09:22 GMT / Apr 21, 2026 09:22 pm (GMT +12)Lat / Lng: -35.2839 / 178.9639: New Zealand: Off E. Coast OF N. Island, N.Z.Source: EMSCOther sources: GEONET (NZ): 4.3 / 288 kmDetail info | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-22930550',-35.28390,178.96390,'7 minutes ago: Mag. 4.3, New Zealand: Off E. Coast OF N. Island, N.Z.',html,'quakes-6-24.png',25,25,12,12,125]); function mkRep(id,notFelt){var nFelt=notFelt||false;var src="https://www.volcanoesandearthquakes.com/app/earthquake-report.php?quakeId="+id;if(nFelt==true){src+="¬Felt=true";}window.open(src,"","status=0,toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,height=400,width=350");} function locationHashChanged(e){-1!=e.oldURL.indexOf("#popupMap")&&closePopup()} window.onhashchange = locationHashChanged; function comment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=(t.dataset.id,document.getElementById("commentForm"));"none"==a.style.display?(t.appendChild(a),a.style.display="block"):a.style.display="none"}function sendComment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=t.parentNode.dataset.id,n=document.getElementById("commentContent"),p=n.value.trim();if(p){var o="id="+a+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId;o+="&comment="+decodeURIComponent(p),mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",o,function(e){e.responseText;alert("Thank you for submitting your comment!"),t.style.display="none",n.value=""})}}function flagReport(e){var t=e.parentNode.dataset.id;if(confirm("Report this as inappropriate?")){var a="id="+t+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&flagAsInappropriate=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",a,function(t){var a=t.responseText;alert(a),e.style.display="none"})}}function likeReport(e){var t="id="+e.parentNode.dataset.id+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&like=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",t,function(t){t.responseText;e.style.opacity=.5})}]]>[smaller] [bigger]Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in New ZealandNearby placesThe closest larger town near the epicenter is Hicks Bay, a town with 1,400 inhabitants in New Zealand, in 264 km (164 mi) distance to the south, but it is unlikely that the quake was felt there. DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry264 km (164 mi)S of epicenterHicks Bay(pop: 1,390)I: Not feltGisborne District, GisborneNew Zealand295 km (183 mi)S of epicenterRuatoria(pop: 897)I: Not feltGisborne District, GisborneNew Zealand296 km (184 mi)S of epicenterTe Kaha(pop: 387)I: Not feltOpotiki District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand322 km (200 mi)S of epicenterTokomaru(pop: 954)I: Not feltGisborne District, GisborneNew Zealand338 km (210 mi)SW of epicenterOpotiki(pop: 4,880)I: Not feltBay of PlentyNew Zealand338 km (210 mi)SW of epicenterMatarangi(pop: 390)I: Not feltThames-Coromandel District, WaikatoNew Zealand340 km (211 mi)SW of epicenterTairua(pop: 1,590)I: Not feltThames-Coromandel District, WaikatoNew Zealand340 km (211 mi)SW of epicenterWhitianga(pop: 6,230)I: Not feltThames-Coromandel District, WaikatoNew Zealand346 km (215 mi)SW of epicenterWhakatane(pop: 18,600)I: Not feltBay of PlentyNew Zealand349 km (217 mi)SW of epicenterColville(pop: 1,490)I: Not feltThames-Coromandel District, WaikatoNew Zealand350 km (218 mi)SW of epicenterWhangamata(pop: 4,270)I: Not feltThames-Coromandel District, WaikatoNew Zealand350 km (218 mi)SW of epicenterMatata(pop: 681)I: Not feltWhakatane District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand353 km (219 mi)SW of epicenterCoromandel(pop: 1,790)I: Not feltWaikatoNew Zealand355 km (221 mi)SW of epicenterTaneatua(pop: 1,500)I: Not feltWhakatane District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand355 km (221 mi)SW of epicenterEdgecumbe(pop: 1,900)I: Not feltWhakatane District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand356 km (221 mi)SW of epicenterMaketu(pop: 1,410)I: Not feltWestern Bay of Plenty District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand360 km (224 mi)SW of epicenterWaimana(pop: 709)I: Not feltWhakatane District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand364 km (226 mi)SW of epicenterTe Puke(pop: 10,500)I: Not feltWestern Bay of Plenty District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand365 km (227 mi)SW of epicenterWaihi(pop: 4,620)I: Not feltHauraki District, WaikatoNew Zealand366 km (227 mi)SW of epicenterTauranga(pop: 155,200)I: Not feltBay of PlentyNew Zealand366 km (228 mi)SW of epicenterTe Puru(pop: 846)I: Not feltThames-Coromandel District, WaikatoNew Zealand370 km (230 mi)SW of epicenterThames(pop: 7,140)I: Not feltWaikatoNew Zealand371 km (231 mi)SW of epicenterOmokoroa(pop: 5,990)I: Not feltWestern Bay of Plenty District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand371 km (231 mi)SW of epicenterKatikati(pop: 6,000)I: Not feltWestern Bay of Plenty District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand373 km (232 mi)SW of epicenterKawerau(pop: 7,670)I: Not feltBay of PlentyNew Zealand375 km (233 mi)SW of epicenterPaeroa(pop: 3,990)I: Not feltHauraki District, WaikatoNew Zealand379 km (235 mi)SW of epicenterOropi(pop: 2,520)I: Not feltWestern Bay of Plenty District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand382 km (237 mi)SW of epicenterNgatea(pop: 1,150)I: Not feltHauraki District, WaikatoNew Zealand384 km (238 mi)SW of epicenterTe Aroha(pop: 4,700)I: Not feltMatamata-Piako District, WaikatoNew Zealand388 km (241 mi)SW of epicenterKaharoa(pop: 1,620)I: Not feltRotorua District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand395 km (246 mi)SW of epicenterWaitoa(pop: 1,170)I: Not feltMatamata-Piako District, WaikatoNew Zealand399 km (248 mi)SW of epicenterRotorua(pop: 65,900)I: Not feltBay of PlentyNew Zealand401 km (249 mi)SW of epicenterMatamata(pop: 6,310)I: Not feltWaikatoNew Zealand402 km (250 mi)SW of epicenterTe Poi(pop: 840)I: Not feltMatamata-Piako District, WaikatoNew Zealand405 km (252 mi)SW of epicenterMorrinsville(pop: 9,710)I: Not feltMatamata-Piako District, WaikatoNew Zealand405 km (252 mi)SW of epicenterMamaku(pop: 751)I: Not feltRotorua District, Bay of PlentyNew Zealand419 km (260 mi)SW of epicenterPutaruru(pop: 4,670)I: Not feltSouth Waikato District, WaikatoNew Zealand427 km (265 mi)SW of epicenterCambridge(pop: 15,200)I: Not feltWaipa District, WaikatoNew Zealand761 km (473 mi)SW of epicenterWellington(pop: 381,900): Not feltWellingtonNew ZealandNotes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.User-reports for this quakeThere are no user reports for this quake yet.If you felt it, be the first to report it!Get the Android appCompare Quake DataData for the same earthquake as reported by different agenciesThe more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.MagDepthTime GMT2026-04-21EpicenterAgency4.3288 km179 mi09:22:59.193OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)4.3288 km179 mi09:22:59New Zealand0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCGEONET (NZ) (Earthquake Commission and Geological Survey, New Zealand)Aftershocks for this quakeNo aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section.What are aftershocks?Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.[More info]What about this quake?Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 2 km2 (1 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 2 km (2 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Apr 21, 2026 09:22 pm (GMT +12)7 minutes ago4.3288 km0 km - This quakeNew Zealand: Off E. Coast OF N. Island, N.Z.Main Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksEarthquake statisticsAverage number of earthquakesBased on data from the past 26 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 215 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 6 or higher: 0.05 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 20.8 years)Mag. 5 or higher: 1.65 quakes per yearMag. 4 or higher: 33.4 quakes per year (or 2.8 quakes per month)Mag. 3 or higher: 187 quakes per year (or 15.6 quakes per month)Mag. 2 or higher: 215 quakes per year (or 17.9 quakes per month)The area where this quake occurred has a high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 6 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 20 to 25 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 5 days after a magnitude 4.4 earthquake had hit on Friday, Apr 17, 2026, at 09:08 am (GMT +12 local time) in 59 km (36 mi) distance to the southeast:Mag. 4.4 earthquake South Pacific Ocean - Waikato, New Zealand - The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 7.1. It had occurred 5 years ago earlier, on Friday, Mar 5, 2021, at 01:27 am (GMT +12 local time) in South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand:Mag. 7.1 earthquake South Pacific Ocean - Gisborne, New Zealand - Mar 5, 2021 - Below is a list and map of larger or recent quakes that had occurred near the epicenter before this earthquake (within up to 100 km/61 mi distance, up to 300 km/183 mi for very large quakes above mag. 7). Filter and sort the list by magnitude or time.Max results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageDate and TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapApr 20, 11:48 pm (GMT +12)4.1392 km77 km (48 mi) to the NESouth Pacific Ocean, 443 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand I FELT ITInfoApr 20, 05:39 am (GMT +12)4.0484 km99 km (61 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 268 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand I FELT ITInfoApr 17, 09:08 am (GMT +12)4.45 km59 km (36 mi) to the SESouth Pacific Ocean, 426 km northeast of Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand I FELT ITInfoApr 10, 08:45 am (GMT +12)4.0413 km56 km (35 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, 423 km northeast of Hamilton, Waikato, New ZealandInfoApr 8, 06:45 pm (GMT +12)4.5189 km29 km (18 mi) to the NESouth Pacific Ocean, 394 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoApr 4, 08:12 pm (GMT +12)5.010 km32 km (20 mi) to the SW 321 km northeast of Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoApr 2, 11:00 am (GMT +12)4.9100 km54 km (33 mi) to the SESouth Pacific Ocean, 440 km east of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandInfoApr 1, 06:10 pm (GMT +12)4.4481 km64 km (40 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, New ZealandInfoJun 25, 2021 10:22 am (GMT +12)5.5160 km81 km (50 mi) to the NE New ZealandInfoMar 20, 2021 06:52 am (GMT +12)5.9162 km28 km (18 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, New Zealand 6 reportsInfoMar 5, 2021 01:27 am (GMT +12)7.190 km244 km (151 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 192 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand 1267 reportsInfoFeb 17, 2020 12:28 am (Universal Time)5.4114 km248 km (154 mi) to the Nnear Magnitude 5.4, Near of Auckland 1 reportInfoNov 4, 2019 04:07 am (GMT +12)5.9100 km86 km (54 mi) to the NESouth Pacific Ocean, 446 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 1 reportInfoMay 11, 2019 04:06 pm (Universal Time)5.498 km84 km (52 mi) to the NEnear Magnitude 5.5, Near of Auckland 2 reportsInfoApr 14, 2018 01:38 am (GMT +12)5.5184 km57 km (36 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 367 km east of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandInfoSep 2, 2016 04:37 am (GMT +12)7.026 km242 km (150 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 64 km northeast of East Island, Gisborne, New Zealand 24 reportsInfoJan 9, 2013 09:26 am (GMT +12)5.710 km78 km (49 mi) to the NSouth Pacific Ocean, 471 km northeast of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandInfoApr 1, 2008 02:00 pm (GMT +12)5.396 km64 km (40 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 346 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoOct 14, 2005 08:27 pm (GMT +12)5.7204 km82 km (51 mi) to the NE South of The Kermadec IslandsInfoJun 15, 2005 10:33 am (GMT +12)5.3199 km36 km (22 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, 327 km northeast of Great Barrier Island, New ZealandInfoDec 1, 2002 02:27 pm (GMT +12)5.933 km94 km (58 mi) to the ESouth Pacific Ocean, 309 km northeast of East Island, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoAug 25, 2001 09:18 am (GMT +12)5.433 km67 km (42 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, 312 km northeast of Great Barrier Island, New ZealandInfoDec 27, 2000 03:21 am (GMT +12)5.633 km70 km (44 mi) to the NE 486 km northeast of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandInfoJul 1, 2000 04:48 pm (GMT +12)5.7241 km33 km (21 mi) to the WSouth Pacific Ocean, 308 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoSep 20, 1998 07:14 pm (GMT +12)5.676 km96 km (60 mi) to the ESouth Pacific Ocean, 483 km northeast of Hamilton, Waikato, New ZealandInfoNov 9, 1996 07:53 pm (GMT +12)5.684 km90 km (56 mi) to the NESouth Pacific Ocean, 357 km north of East Island, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoFeb 6, 1995 11:51 am (Auckland)7.121 km276 km (171 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 119 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoAug 26, 1993 01:30 pm (GMT +12)5.633 km93 km (58 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 258 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoAug 13, 1993 11:02 pm (GMT +12)6.395 km89 km (55 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 281 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 15, 1992 07:13 am (GMT +12)5.9247 km87 km (54 mi) to the NE South of The Kermadec IslandsInfoAug 17, 1987 09:38 am (GMT +12)6.174 km72 km (45 mi) to the NESouth Pacific Ocean, 318 km north of East Island, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoAug 24, 1986 11:47 am (GMT +12)6.632 km87 km (54 mi) to the NSouth Pacific Ocean, 396 km northeast of Great Barrier Island, New ZealandInfoApr 11, 1985 11:55 pm (GMT +12)5.9108 km35 km (22 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 330 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoNov 29, 1980 06:48 pm (GMT +12)5.733 km91 km (56 mi) to the ESouth Pacific Ocean, 289 km northeast of East Island, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoJan 9, 1970 05:12 am (GMT +12)6.7199 km51 km (32 mi) to the NSouth Pacific Ocean, 339 km northeast of Great Barrier Island, New ZealandInfoJan 27, 1967 08:11 pm (GMT +12)5.5385 km96 km (59 mi) to the NE South of Kermadec IslandsInfoAug 28, 1966 07:29 pm (GMT +12)5.6170 km97 km (60 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 278 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoSep 1, 1965 04:47 pm (GMT +12)6.0102 km100 km (62 mi) to the NE South of The Kermadec IslandsInfoMay 20, 1964 06:06 pm (GMT +12)5.5101 km71 km (44 mi) to the ESouth Pacific Ocean, 394 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoOct 17, 1960 10:04 pm (GMT +12)5.4225 km18 km (10.9 mi) to the NWSouth Pacific Ocean, 325 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoFeb 13, 1938 08:03 am (Universal Time)6.635 km85 km (53 mi) to the SESouth Pacific Ocean, 365 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoOct 7, 1914 08:15 am (Auckland)7.00 km288 km (179 mi) to the S 96 km north of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoMap of earlier quakes in the area of this quakeMax results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageOldest quakes are shown in yellow, most recent in red.[quakes -][quakes +][smaller][bigger]