Moderate magnitude 4.3 earthquake at 623 km depth17 Sep 11:56 UTC: First to report: GEONET (NZ) after 5 minutes.17 Sep 11:59: Magnitude recalculated from 2.5 to 4.2. Hypocenter depth recalculated from 10.00 to 600.00 km (from 6.2 to 373 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 1126 km (700 mi) towards NNE.17 Sep 12:05: Magnitude recalculated from 4.2 to 4.3. Hypocenter depth recalculated from 600.00 to 622.50 km (from 373 to 387 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 41 km (26 mi) towards N.I didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeSep 17, 2026 11:50:53 UTC - Local time at epicenterThursday, Sep 17, 2026, at 11:50 pm (GMT +12)Statuspreliminary (automatic detection)Magnitude4.3Depth623 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude25.8365°S / 179.7234°WNew ZealandSeismic antipode25.8365°N / 0.2766°ESpainShaking intensityNot feltPrimary data sourceGEONET (NZ) (Earthquake Commission and Geological Survey, New Zealand)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeOvercast Clouds 15.9°C (61 F), humidity: 81%, wind: 10 m/s (20 kts) from NEstimated 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 energy16 minutes agoSep 17, 2026 11:50 GMT / Sep 17, 2026 11:50 pm (GMT +12)Lat / Lng: -25.83652 / -179.72336: New ZealandSource: GEONET (NZ)Detail info | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-23370123',-25.83652,-179.72336,'16 minutes ago: Mag. 4.3, 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 quake occurred far from any larger inhabited place.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 GMT2026-09-17EpicenterAgency4.3623 km387 mi11:50:53New 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 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)Sep 17, 2026 11:50 pm (GMT +12)16 minutes ago4.3623 km0 km - This quakeSouth Pacific Ocean, New ZealandMain Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksEarthquake statisticsAverage number of earthquakesBased on data from the past 56 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 17.8 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 5 or higher: 0.55 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 1.8 years)Mag. 4 or higher: 16.3 quakes per yearMag. 3 or higher: 20.5 quakes per yearMag. 2 or higher: 20.5 quakes per yearThe area where this quake occurred has a high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 31 quakes above magnitude 5 since 1970, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 1 to 5 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 19 weeks after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake had hit on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 08:00 pm (GMT +12 local time) in 1,247 km (775 mi) distance to the south:Mag. 5.8 earthquake South Pacific Ocean - Bay of Plenty, New Zealand - May 5, 2026 -The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 7.1. It had occurred 6 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 TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapSep 17, 08:09 pm (GMT +12)2.7176 km1248 km (776 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 156 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoSep 14, 09:03 pm (GMT +12)2.6196 km1211 km (753 mi) to the S 340 km north of Napier, Hawke's Bay, New ZealandInfoSep 12, 07:39 pm (GMT +12)3.4136 km1212 km (753 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 268 km northeast of Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand I felt itInfoSep 10, 09:26 am (GMT +12)2.8221 km1240 km (771 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 197 km east of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandInfoSep 10, 04:27 am (GMT +12)3.1177 km1119 km (695 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 283 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoMay 5, 08:00 pm (GMT +12)5.810 km1247 km (775 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 143 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 56 reportsInfoOct 15, 2024 04:01 am (GMT +12)5.2234 km1232 km (766 mi) to the S New Zealand 2 reportsInfoMar 5, 2021 01:27 am (GMT +12)7.190 km1291 km (802 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 192 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand 1267 reportsInfoJan 4, 2020 07:18 pm (GMT +12)5.5309 km1254 km (779 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 125 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand 11 reportsInfoAug 19, 2018 04:32 pm (GMT +12)5.1372 km1138 km (707 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 260 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoNov 22, 2017 07:43 am (Universal Time)5.010 km1224 km (761 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 168 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand 1 reportInfoFeb 25, 2017 05:31 am (GMT +12)5.2324 km1182 km (734 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 299 km northeast of Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand 1 reportInfoJan 3, 2017 01:16 am (GMT +12)5.2428 km1115 km (693 mi) to the S New ZealandInfoSep 2, 2016 04:37 am (GMT +12)7.026 km1295 km (805 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 64 km northeast of East Island, Gisborne, New Zealand 24 reportsInfoFeb 26, 2015 07:33 am (GMT +12)5.112 km1229 km (763 mi) to the S 135 km ENE of Tairua, New ZealandInfoFeb 23, 2015 10:25 pm (GMT +12)5.12 km1225 km (761 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 161 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoJul 22, 2014 02:57 am (GMT +12)5.1421 km1157 km (719 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 245 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoMar 26, 2014 03:31 pm (GMT +12)5.2372 km1153 km (716 mi) to the S 180 km north of Te AraroaInfoJan 16, 2012 01:41 am (GMT +12)5.2273 km1229 km (764 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 155 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoJul 10, 2011 02:40 am (GMT +12)5.312 km1138 km (707 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 245 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoSep 29, 2010 04:14 pm (GMT +12)5.4282 km1247 km (775 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 141 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoMar 16, 2009 06:50 pm (GMT +12)5.1230 km1204 km (748 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 236 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoOct 27, 2007 07:54 pm (GMT +12)5.35.7 km1114 km (692 mi) to the S 239 km NE of Whitianga, New ZealandInfoOct 11, 2007 10:19 pm (GMT +12)5.112 km1233 km (766 mi) to the S 121 km ENE of Tairua, New ZealandInfoFeb 10, 2007 01:51 am (GMT +12)5.1303 km1194 km (742 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 190 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoJan 27, 2007 10:24 pm (GMT +12)5.012 km1239 km (770 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 143 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoApr 25, 2006 12:22 pm (GMT +12)5.056 km1258 km (782 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 125 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoFeb 6, 1995 11:51 am (Auckland)7.121 km1334 km (829 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 119 km northeast of Gisborne, Gisborne, New ZealandInfoAug 26, 1993 01:30 pm (GMT +12)5.633 km1135 km (706 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 258 km east of Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New ZealandInfoJan 14, 1985 04:01 am (GMT +12)5.533 km1230 km (764 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 177 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoJan 8, 1985 07:41 pm (GMT +12)5.725 km1220 km (758 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 182 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoJan 7, 1985 06:32 am (GMT +12)5.628 km1229 km (764 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 171 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 31, 1984 09:36 am (GMT +12)6.839 km1232 km (766 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 165 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 31, 1984 08:59 am (GMT +12)5.836 km1236 km (768 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 161 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoDec 29, 1984 06:20 am (GMT +12)5.727 km1225 km (761 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 184 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoMar 1, 1974 02:05 am (GMT +12)5.728 km1244 km (773 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 138 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoMar 1, 1974 01:59 am (GMT +12)6.215 km1263 km (785 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 114 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoApr 15, 1971 12:37 pm (GMT +12)5.8210 km1227 km (762 mi) to the SSouth Pacific Ocean, 164 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandInfoOct 7, 1914 08:15 am (Auckland)7.00 km1345 km (836 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]