Moderate magnitude 4.4 earthquake at 100 km depth9 Sep 04:53 UTC: First to report: GEONET (NZ) after 2 minutes.9 Sep 04:54: Magnitude recalculated from 2.3 to 2.5.9 Sep 04:57: Magnitude recalculated from 2.5 to 4.4. Hypocenter depth recalculated from 29.80 to 100.00 km (from 18.5 to 62 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 428 km (266 mi) towards NNE.I didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeSep 9, 2026 04:50:33 UTC - Local time at epicenterTuesday, Sep 8, 2026, at 04:50 pm (GMT -12)Statuspreliminary (automatic detection)Magnitude4.4Depth100 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude33.4685°S / 179.9126°WNew ZealandSeismic antipode33.4685°N / 0.0874°ESpainShaking intensityIII Weak shaking near epicenterFelt0 reportsPrimary data sourceGEONET (NZ) (Earthquake Commission and Geological Survey, New Zealand)Nearest volcanoBrothers (182 km / 113 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeOvercast Clouds 13.9°C (57 F), humidity: 68%, wind: 4 m/s (8 kts) from NNEEstimated seismic energy released2.5 x 1011 joules (69.8 megawatt hours, equivalent to 60 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 4.4 | about seismic energy15 minutes agoSep 9, 2026 04:50 GMT / Sep 8, 2026 04:50 pm (GMT -12)Lat / Lng: -33.46849 / -179.91264: New ZealandSource: GEONET (NZ)Detail info | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-23347486',-33.46849,-179.91264,'15 minutes ago: Mag. 4.4, New Zealand',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 Wellington, the capital of New Zealand with 380,000 inhabitants, in 988 km (614 mi) distance to the southwest, but it is unlikely that the quake was felt there. DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry988 km (614 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 GMT2026-09-9EpicenterAgency4.4100 km62 mi04:50:33New ZealandGEONET (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 3 km2 (1 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 3 km (2 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Sep 8, 2026 04:50 pm (GMT -12)15 minutes ago4.4100 km0 km - This quakeNew ZealandMain 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 78 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 6 or higher: 0.08 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 12.7 years)Mag. 5 or higher: 3.8 quakes per yearMag. 4 or higher: 46 quakes per year (or 3.9 quakes per month)Mag. 3 or higher: 76 quakes per year (or 6.3 quakes per month)Mag. 2 or higher: 77 quakes per year (or 6.4 quakes per month)The area where this quake occurred has a high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 10 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 10 to 15 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 5 weeks after a magnitude 5.6 earthquake had hit on Sunday, Aug 2, 2026, at 08:35 pm local time (Pacific/Auckland GMT +12) in 500 km (311 mi) distance to the south:Mag. 5.6 earthquake 14 km S of Hicks Bay - New Zealand - Aug 2, 2026 -The largest quake near the epicenter of this quake during the 10 years before was an event of magnitude 7.1. It had occurred 6 years earlier, on Friday, Mar 5, 2021, at 01:27 am (GMT +12 local time) in South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand:Mag. 7.1 earthquake New Zealand - Mar 5, 2021 -The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 7.6. It had occurred 80 years ago earlier, on Tuesday, Mar 25, 1947, at 08:32 pm local time (Universal Time GMT +0) in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand:Mag. 7.6 earthquake North Island of New Zealand - Mar 25, 1947 -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 TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapSep 9, 10:02 am (GMT +12)2.7124 km459 km (285 mi) to the SW New ZealandInfoSep 9, 04:00 am (GMT +12)2.661 km506 km (315 mi) to the SW New ZealandInfoSep 9, 03:48 am (GMT +12)2.134 km518 km (322 mi) to the S New ZealandInfoSep 8, 11:01 pm (GMT +12)2.526 km479 km (297 mi) to the S New ZealandInfoSep 8, 10:43 pm (GMT +12)2.228 km474 km (295 mi) to the S New ZealandInfoSep 8, 04:30 pm (GMT +12)3.0178 km465 km (289 mi) to the SW New Zealand I felt itInfoSep 8, 05:54 am (GMT +12)2.8132 km471 km (292 mi) to the SW New ZealandInfoAug 2, 08:35 pm (Auckland)5.653 km500 km (311 mi) to the S 15 km south of Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New Zealand 12 reportsInfoMay 5, 08:00 pm (GMT +12)5.810 km446 km (277 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 143 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 56 reportsInfoMar 5, 2021 01:27 am (GMT +12)7.190 km443 km (275 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 192 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand 1267 reportsInfoMar 14, 2020 10:05 pm (GMT +12)5.912 km374 km (232 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 262 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 1 reportInfoNov 23, 2019 04:34 pm (Universal Time)5.898 km515 km (320 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 178 km east of Waiheke Island, New Zealand 30 reportsInfoSep 6, 2016 03:19 am (GMT +12)5.830 km407 km (253 mi) to the S Off E. Coast of N. Island, N.Z. 1 reportInfoSep 2, 2016 07:18 am (GMT +12)5.744 km452 km (281 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 40 km north of East Island, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoSep 2, 2016 06:59 am (GMT +12)5.735 km404 km (251 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 207 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoSep 2, 2016 05:14 am (GMT +12)5.810 km409 km (254 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 199 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoSep 2, 2016 04:48 am (GMT +12)5.517 km428 km (266 mi) to the S 181 km ENE of Opotiki, New Zealand 1 reportInfoSep 2, 2016 04:37 am (GMT +12)7.026 km449 km (279 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 64 km northeast of East Island, Gisborne, New Zealand 24 reportsInfoSep 1, 2016 10:04 am (GMT +12)5.621 km422 km (262 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 67 km north of East Island, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoOct 21, 2001 12:29 pm (GMT +12)6.718 km420 km (261 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 189 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoAug 18, 1999 01:16 pm (Auckland)5.7155 km498 km (309 mi) to the SW 74 km N of Opotiki, New ZealandInfoApr 15, 1996 11:07 am (GMT +12)5.7185 km416 km (258 mi) to the S Off E. Coast of N. Island, N.Z.InfoFeb 13, 1995 01:11 pm (Auckland)6.028 km480 km (298 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 29 km east of Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoFeb 6, 1995 11:51 am (Auckland)7.121 km492 km (306 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 119 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoDec 15, 1994 11:20 pm (GMT +12)6.533 km484 km (301 mi) to the SW 83 km NNE of Opotiki, New ZealandInfoNov 20, 1991 09:23 pm (GMT +12)6.179 km373 km (232 mi) to the SW 192 km NNE of Opotiki, New ZealandInfoAug 8, 1987 07:48 pm (GMT +12)5.733 km407 km (253 mi) to the S 183 km NE of Opotiki, New ZealandInfoJan 8, 1985 07:41 pm (GMT +12)5.725 km410 km (255 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 182 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 31, 1984 09:36 am (GMT +12)6.839 km426 km (264 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 165 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 31, 1984 08:59 am (GMT +12)5.836 km430 km (267 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 161 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoApr 15, 1971 12:37 pm (GMT +12)5.8210 km424 km (264 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 164 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 9, 1965 06:05 am (GMT +12)6.0175 km474 km (295 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 98 km northeast of Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoOct 27, 1964 12:40 pm (GMT +12)5.6215 km458 km (284 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 140 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoSep 20, 1960 03:05 pm (GMT +12)5.9203 km482 km (300 mi) to the SW Off E. Coast of N. Island, N.Z.InfoAug 1, 1960 03:50 am (GMT +12)5.6240 km486 km (302 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 96 km north of Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoFeb 3, 1960 02:21 pm (Auckland)6.40 km482 km (300 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 38 km northwest of Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoJan 30, 1956 08:43 pm (Auckland)6.215 km500 km (311 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 75 km north of Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoApr 23, 1951 06:50 pm (Auckland)6.020 km469 km (292 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 34 km northwest of Hicks Bay, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoMar 25, 1947 08:32 pm (Universal Time)7.615 km596 km (370 mi) to the S 109 km east of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, New ZealandInfoOct 23, 1937 04:53 pm (Universal Time)6.015 km519 km (322 mi) to the SWSouth Pacific Ocean, 60 km northeast of Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoNov 22, 1914 08:14 am (Universal Time)7.0100 km716 km (445 mi) to the SW 36 km south of Taupo, Waikato, New ZealandInfoOct 7, 1914 08:15 am (Auckland)7.00 km511 km (318 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]